Cmdr. Billie J. Farrell is the U.S.S. Constitution’s First Woman Commander

This interview is part of our latest Women and Leadership special report, which highlights women making significant contributions to the major stories unfolding in the world today. The conversation has been edited and condensed.

Cmdr. Billie J. Farrell, 39, is the first woman commander of the U.S.S. Constitution, a 224-year-old warship nicknamed Old Ironsides and the oldest commissioned warship in the U.S. Navy. The ship is based in Boston, where Cmdr. Farrell lives with her husband, Paul Farrell, also in the Navy, and their two children, ages 6 and 3.

You’re part of a rare circle of women in the Navy to command a ship. How does that feel?

It’s not as rare as people think it is. I know of many women, including close friends, who are in commanding positions or second in command all over the world. The first woman in the Navy to command a combatant ship, Cmdr. Maureen Farren, assumed the role in 1998, and more and more have joined the ranks ever since.

You have been in the Navy for 18 years. What was your inspiration for joining?

I was watching television at home in Paducah, Ky., when I was in sixth grade and saw a Naval Academy graduation. I became fascinated with the tradition and ceremony and started looking into joining. I saw that it was an opportunity for a great education and a chance to serve my country. After finishing my senior year of high school, I headed to Annapolis for my first six weeks of training.

Describe your first visit to the Constitution, which was when you were in high school. There’s a great photo of you in front of the ship. What do you remember about that visit and how you felt?

My family took a road trip from Kentucky to Boston when I was 16. But first, we stopped in Annapolis so that I could see the Naval Academy. By then, I knew I wanted to join. Then we continued onto Boston and visited the ship. In those days, I was able to take a tour and talk to the crew. I had bought a U.S. Naval Academy hat and wore it for that picture. Standing on the deck, I experienced the history and realized that the ship is a battlefield and place where sailors gave their lives to serve the country.

How important do you think mentorship has been to your career?

I was fortunate that all the captains of the ships I served on took me under their wings and taught me lessons that I carry with me today. But these lessons were by actions, not words. The most important one I learned is that bad news doesn’t get better with time. If you know something, say something so that the situation can be helped or resolved in the best possible way. The other big lesson is to keep your calm. If you’re reactive, people won’t feel comfortable coming to you.

What’s your favorite story from the history of the Constitution?

The battle with H.M.S. Guerriere, a British ship, during the War of 1812. It’s where the ship earned her Old Ironsides nickname. When sailors saw British cannonballs bouncing off the sides of the Constitution, they shouted “Huzzah, her sides are made of iron.” In fact, they’re made of wood, but the story speaks to her resilience as well as to the resilience of the sailors who fought during that battle.

Since there are so many women serving in the Navy — around a third of your crew is female — how big a deal do you think your appointment is? Does being “the first” still matter?

My appointment is significant because it gives me the platform to support the 70,000 women who are serving in the Navy today and to show them what’s possible. And, yes, being the first does matter. It’s great to highlight accomplishments so that they can inspire others to set goals beyond what they thought were possible.

Can you describe your day-to-day duties?

The Constitution is still an active sailing ship that goes into Boston Harbor seven times a year. That means that my crew of 80 are active-duty sailors.

Also, we’re not a museum, but we do give tours, so we study a lot of Navy history and heritage. We also do a lot of community outreach programs. For example, Boy Scout troops will spend nights on the ship and get a taste of our lives.

There were women pioneers on the Constitution going back to 1986. Have you been in touch with them?

In 1986, Rosemarie Lanam was the first woman to serve on the ship, and when I took command, she sent me the warmest message. Claire V. Bloom (appointed in 1996) was the ship’s first executive officer, and she came to the ceremony when I was officially appointed. We met briefly, and she told me that she was so excited for me. I could feel her support.

Can you share your future ambitions?

The U.S.S. Constitution’s 225th birthday is on Oct. 21, and I am focused on celebrating that. I definitely want it to be a big event.