Janet Yellen: first female Fed chair and economics trailblazer faces Trump's ax

Yellen's position as head of the Federal Reserve makes her an ideal role model for women in a male-dominated field, but Trump threatens to cut her tenure short

When Janet Yellen was sworn in as the chair of the US Federal Reserve three years ago this month, she made history. A fact that did not escape President Obama: "I should add that she'll be the first woman to lead the Fed in its 100-year history," said the man whose own appointment was also a historical first.

Now she may be history. As a candidate Donald Trump said he would get rid of Yellen, and he could nominate her successor by summer, rendering her a lame duck at a time when the Fed is coming under ever greater scrutiny as rates rise for the first time since the recession.

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