It's fun how Catherine causes so much hate within gamers. I always thought we were an open minded bunch.
The fun fact is... she is insolent, agressive and terrible when asking things. But the content of all her demands is pretty reasonable; even critical in some points. When she asks about raising her funds, she is not asking about giving her better salary than others, she clearly states -in her insulting endeavor- that women aboard the ship receive less salary than men for exactly the same work.
You may get distressed by her forms, and her attitude; but I'm certain their claims are anything but selfish; the speeches she gives are clear at that regard. She asks justice for women, not only for her.
Catherine is intolerant, rude, offensive, even violent; but certainly she is not selfish.