Debunking Myths in the Final Frontier
When Star Trek: Voyager debuted in 1995, Kate Mulgrew’s Captain Kathryn Janeway was widely hailed as the “first female captain in Star Trek.” This description was repeated so often — in press materials, interviews, and retrospectives — that it became accepted wisdom.
But it’s not accurate.
While Janeway was certainly the first female lead of a Star Trek series, and an enormously important figure in science fiction television, she was not the first female starship captain seen on screen. In fact, two other women held that title before Voyager ever launched: Captain Rachel Garrett and Captain Silva La Forge.
Furthermore, there’s another myth about Sonequa Martin-Green being the “first black woman captain” in the Star Trek universe. While Martin-Green’s portrayal of Captain Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery is groundbreaking, it’s important to recognize the nuanced history of black women in command in Star Trek.
Let’s set the record straight.
🚀 Captain Rachel Garrett – Star Trek: The Next Generation (1990)
The first female captain ever shown on screen in Star Trek was Captain Rachel Garrett, commanding the USS Enterprise-C in the TNG episode “Yesterday’s Enterprise” (Season 3, Episode 15), aired in 1990 — five years before Voyager.
Portrayed by Tricia O’Neil, Garrett was brave, diplomatic, and decisive. Her command was central to one of the most important temporal events in the Star Trek universe. Although her role was limited to one episode, she was clearly portrayed as a capable starship captain, making her the first canonically seen female captain in the franchise’s televised history.
🖖 Captain Silva La Forge – Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993)
Three years later, in the TNG episode “Interface” (Season 7, Episode 3), Captain Silva La Forge, the mother of Geordi La Forge, appeared on screen. Played by Madge Sinclair, she was the captain of the USS Hera, a Nebula-class starship.
Captain La Forge’s ship was tragically lost during the episode’s events, but her presence on screen — commanding her own vessel — further confirmed that female captains were already established within the Federation long before Janeway’s era. What’s even more significant is that Captain La Forge was a black woman, making her a groundbreaking figure in terms of representation as well.
It’s worth noting that Sinclair also previously played the queen in Coming to America, and her calm, commanding screen presence made Captain La Forge a memorable part of the franchise, despite her brief appearance.
👩🚀 What Makes Janeway Different?
None of this diminishes Janeway’s impact. Captain Janeway was the first female lead of a Star Trek series — a milestone that cannot be overstated. Mulgrew portrayed a multifaceted, morally driven, and authoritative captain who inspired an entire generation. For seven seasons, Janeway navigated uncharted space, tough ethical dilemmas, and crew dynamics with intelligence and strength.
But she wasn’t the first female captain. She was the first to lead a show.
🌌 The Myth of Sonequa Martin-Green as the First Black Woman Captain
Another common misconception is that Sonequa Martin-Green’s portrayal of Captain Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery marked the first black woman to command a starship in the Star Trek universe. While it’s true that Captain Burnham is a groundbreaking character — being the first black woman to take on a central role as the lead in a Star Trek series — she was not the first black woman to assume a captaincy in Star Trek canon.
That distinction belongs to Captain Silva La Forge, who not only appeared on screen before Burnham, but also commanded a Federation starship in an official capacity. Her presence helped lay the foundation for more inclusive representation in the franchise.
📺 Why Does the Myth Persist?
The confusion likely stems from the distinction between a female captain appearing in an episode vs. being the main character of a series. Janeway’s high visibility and central role made her stand out. Additionally, marketing at the time focused heavily on her “firsts,” often omitting the earlier examples.
Likewise, Burnham’s portrayal as a lead character in a major Star Trek series — Discovery — has made her an unforgettable figure, but the Star Trek franchise has long included strong, black female characters in the background. Captain La Forge’s appearance, though brief, predates Burnham by decades and deserves recognition in that lineage.
📝 Conclusion
While Kate Mulgrew’s Janeway is a trailblazer in her own right, she followed in the wake of at least two other female captains: Rachel Garrett and Silva La Forge. Each played a role in normalizing the idea that women could command starships with the same authority, skill, and moral complexity as any man.
Moreover, Sonequa Martin-Green’s portrayal of Captain Michael Burnham is groundbreaking, but she is not the first black woman to command a starship. That distinction belongs to Captain Silva La Forge, whose role in The Next Generation stands as an early and important example of black women in leadership within Star Trek canon.
Janeway was a captain. She just wasn’t the first. Similarly, Burnham’s leadership in Discovery is immensely important, but it wasn’t the first of its kind in Star Trek canon.
Let’s give credit where it’s due — and celebrate all of Starfleet’s trailblazing women and people of color in command, whether for one episode or an entire series.
Live long and fact-check. 🖖
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