Yeah, I heard about this a few years back. On the 1997 DVD, I believe.
Alien was actually a milestone film, in that it featured the first successful female hero role. Ellen Ripley is actually somewhat responsible for other women hero-like characters in movies, such as Elektra, however the same effect has never been duplicated.
I think part of what makes the Alien franchise so iconic is due in part to Ripely, the women, not man, who saves the day. It's empowering, and different. It works... it works well.