Home - Christening Ships Tradition - Society of Sponsors Donate Us Donate Us Honoring the Tradition of Christening Ships and Forming Lasting Bonds With Naval Vessels About Role of a Sponsor News and Articles Committed Sponsors ofUS Navy Ships The Society of Ship Sponsors is composed of women who have taken part in the timehonored tradition of christening a ship to be commissioned in the United States Navy or a ship that sails with the Navy supporting the fleet in some specific way. Sponsors play a unique role in the Navy. As they christen their ships bestowing upon the vessel a name chosen by the Secretary of the Navy they become a part of that ships history. The crew of the ship may change many times over the course of a ships life but the Sponsor remains the same.