J anet Yellen, President Obama’s superb pick to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve, should have been a shoo-in all along. In fact, it was widely thought this past spring that, as vice chair of the Federal Reserve, she was the most likely [...]

It's hard to pinpoint the exact reason for the gap. But economics may be slower to integrate because women may not be comfortable with its "aggressive style," according to Heidi Hartmann, the president of the Institute for Women's Policy Research. "When a field is dominated [...]

It's hard to pinpoint the exact reason for the gap. But economics may be slower to integrate because women may not be comfortable with its "aggressive style," according to Heidi Hartmann, the president of the Institute for Women's Policy Research. "When a field is dominated [...]

If confirmed by the Senate, Yellen will oversee U.S. monetary policy during "a critical period for the economy," says Heidi Hartmann, an economist and president of the non-profit Institute for Women's Policy Research. Yellen's calls would affect big businesses as well as ordinary American lives. [...]

Yellen drew outspoken support from Senate Democrats, a third of whom signed a letter this summer urging Obama to choose her. Last month, more than 350 economists signed a letter to Obama urging him to nominate Yellen.

As the world started bracing for a Summers nomination, forces on the left rose up with 21st-century pitchforks. Democratic senators petitioned the White House, an unusual act of rebellion against an already embattled Democratic president. An army of academic economists stepped forward to push for [...]