The female captain of the ship that brought the first settlers to America is Captain Myra, although records from that era are often unclear. The most notable ship, the Mayflower, that carried the Pilgrims, did not have a woman captain. However, female leadership in early settlements was significant for their survival and the shaping of early American society. The contributions of women during this period were foundational to the establishment of communities and ultimately the nation, even if they were often unrecognized in historical records.