Cmdr. Billie Farrell, USS Constitution’s first female commanding officer, poses in front of the ship during a visit in 1998 during her sophomore year of high school. Farrell will be the first female commanding officer of USS Constitution and will take command of Old Ironsides during a change-of-command ceremony, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 21, at noon. As the 77th commanding officer of USS Constitution, Farrell will become the first woman to serve as captain in the ship’s 224-year history, dating back to 1797. Farrell previously served as the executive officer aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69). She is a native of Paducah, Ky. and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Arkansas. (U.S. Navy Photo/Released)