Kate Mulgrew reflects on being Star Trek's first female captain

Actress Kate Mulgrew recently reflected on her role as Captain Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager, noting the unprecedented nature of being the first female captain in the science-fiction franchise. Speaking at the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame’s 34th Anniversary Gala, the 71-year-old actress described the experience as “breathtaking” and stated that it reshaped her life.

Mulgrew highlighted the character's impact on women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). She expressed that Janeway’s command was “deeply significant” in demonstrating that these fields were not exclusively for men. The series, which aired from 1995 to 2001, followed the crew of the USS Voyager as they navigated the Delta Quadrant in an attempt to return home.