General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) started construction on the future USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210), the sixth ship for the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet oiler program, on March 27, 2023.

Sojourner Truth was an American abolitionist of New York Dutch heritage and a women’s rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in Swartekill, New York, but escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826. After going to court to recover her son in 1828, she became the first black woman to win such a case against a white man.

Gwen Phillips, a Production Support Specialist II with 34 years as part of the NASSCO team, served as the honoree for the ceremony and initiated the first cut of steel that will be used to construct the vessel.

Thank you to our honoree, the U.S. Navy and our dedicated shipbuilders for helping create this historic day!