The Secretary of the Navy is charged with designating sponsors for all United States Navy Ships. Sponsors play a unique role for the Navy. As they christen their ships, bestowing upon the vessel a name chosen by the Secretary of the Navy, they become an integral part of that ship’s history. The crew of the ship may change many times over the course of a ship’s life, but the Sponsor remains the same. The Sponsor’s role is an important one. She will participate in as many of the ceremonial milestones in the life of her ship of the ship as possible and her experiences will be memorable.

A ship sponsor, by tradition, is a female civilian who is invited to "sponsor" a vessel, presumably to bestow good luck and divine protection over the seagoing vessel and all that sail aboard. In the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard the sponsor is technically considered a permanent member of the ship's crew and is expected to give a part of her personality to the ship, as well as advocate for its continued service and well-being. For passenger ships the sponsor is called a Godmother.

The christening ceremony marks the traditional transition of the ship from the new construction phase to its comprehensive tests and trials phase – moving from a mere hull number to a ship with a name and spirit.

Born in South Bend, Indiana, the daughter of World War II veterans, Jill Truitt Donnelly has always called Indiana home. She graduated from John Adams High School and the University of Notre Dame, and met her husband, Senator Joe Donnelly, while they were students. Employed at Notre Dame since 1998, Jill currently serves as a Director of Development.

She is a member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary and serves her community on the boards of the Center for the Homeless and Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build. She is supportive of both organizations as they find housing for homeless veterans.

As the spouse of a United States Senator, she welcomes the opportunity to participate in military troop send offs and welcoming our brave men and women home again. Her two children, Molly and Joe Jr., are her pride and joy, and she looks forward to meeting her new family, the men and women who will serve on the U.S.S. Indianapolis.