Happy 100th birthday, Jodie Bernstein

The Bureau of Consumer Protection is deeply honored to recognize one of its most distinguished alumnae, Jodie Bernstein, as she celebrates her 100^th Birthday.

For Jodie, one of the Commission’s distinguished Miles W. Kirkpatrick Award recipients, this marks yet another milestone in a life filled with extraordinary accomplishments. Her career, in many ways, mirrors the history of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Jodie first joined the Federal Trade Commission as a staff attorney in 1970 shortly after the Bureau of Consumer Protection was created. Jodie rose meteorically though the ranks to serve as Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection before leaving the agency in the mid-1970s.

Jodie then went on to serve as General Counsel for the then newly created Environmental Protection Agency in 1977, then the Department of Health Education and Welfare, and finally Waste Management in Chicago.

She returned to the FTC in 1995 to once again lead the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Bringing modern management techniques that reinvigorated and expanded the work of the Bureau, she helped transform BCP into the modern force it currently is. By launching the Agency’s Internet enforcement and privacy protection programs, Jodie earned the well-deserved title as the nation’s “Top Cyber Cop.” Her stewardship of the Bureau left an enduring legacy of innovation, integrity, and excellence.

Jodie’s vision, courage, and unwavering commitment to the public have shaped the Bureau in ways that continue to guide its mission today. Her contributions strengthened the agency, protected American consumers, and inspired a generation of public servants. The Bureau is grateful for her service and lasting impact.