Lisa Cook, Speech: Commencement Address, Tuskegee University

A commencement address.  Monetary policy and the economy were not mentioned.

“One of my barriers was exactly 60 feet long. You see, when I was a Girl Scout, playing softball, it became clear slowly—and I mean that literally—that I did not have—let’s put this delicately—running ability. I could run, but it was more like a trot. I was a good catcher but just was not a fast runner.”

“Well, my mom’s view was, “Okay. You’re a slow runner. We know that, so you will have to find another way. It’s not a death knell if you can’t run the bases. You will just have to learn how to hit home runs, like Hank Aaron.”