Sworn in as U.S. Treasury Secretary, Yellen became the first woman in the role and first person ever to lead Treasury, the Fed, and the CEA.
On January 26, 2021, Janet Yellen was formally sworn in as the 78th United States Secretary of the Treasury, becoming not only the first woman to hold this office but also the first person in American history to have led all three of the nation's top economic policy institutions: the Council of Economic Advisers, the Federal Reserve, and the Department of the Treasury.
This unprecedented achievement capped a career spanning more than four decades in economics and public service. Yellen's unique trifecta of leadership positions gave her an unparalleled vantage point on U.S. economic policy, having overseen fiscal advising, monetary policy, and now the executive branch's economic and financial operations, including tax policy, government debt issuance, and international economic relations.
As Treasury Secretary, Yellen played a critical role in managing the U.S. economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including implementation of stimulus packages, international tax coordination efforts, and sanctions policy amid geopolitical tensions such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Her historic achievement was widely covered by outlets including the 19th News and later retrospectives by Fortune magazine, cementing her legacy as one of the most influential and barrier-breaking economists in American history. Her career trajectory offered a powerful example for women aspiring to top roles in economics, finance, and government, demonstrating that expertise and persistence could overcome long-standing institutional gender barriers.