Yellen s delicate balancing act as Fed chief

Insight & Opinion feed It is now formally confirmed. On February 1 Janet Yellen, 67, will become the first woman to chair the US Federal Reserve. Her endorsement by the US Senate was never in doubt. What set it apart more than her gender was that she was confirmed with the least support on record. The reasons include the absence of some senators delayed by weather disruption of flights. But the vote also reflects a number of other challenging factors that will help shape her legacy.