Remarks by U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen at a Treasury Event Recognizing Her Public Service Career

As Prepared for Delivery I am deeply grateful to all of you for being here today. To those who have shared such kind and heartfelt words, thank you—it means the world to me to celebrate this moment surrounded by so many remarkable colleagues and friends, some of whom I’ve had the honor of working alongside for decades. Reflecting on my journey in economics, it feels extraordinary to stand here today. As a graduate student in James Tobin’s macroeconomics class I came to see economics not just as a fascinating intellectual pursuit but as a powerful tool to uplift lives and create opportunity. Jim’s passion for using economics to address society’s most pressing challenges inspired me and set me on the path I have followed ever since. My early years as an academic were fulfilling.