Women’s History Month on Alcatraz | Living with the Rock: Families and Escapes

Alcatraz Island

Russell Bombon / Parks Conservancy

Jolene Babyak lived on Alcatraz while her father worked as an Administrator and Associate Warden. After a happy childhood on the island, she became curious about the island as an adult and began interviewing and writing about former officers and prisoners. After years of interviews and perusing documents, she has come to believe that this tiny, 22-acre prison island was a microcosm of family life -- both good and bad.

This Women’s History Month, we answer the common question: “Were there any women on Alcatraz?”

The short answer is that there were no women imprisoned here. But women’s stories are deeply connected to the island.

From laundresses working in the military fort, to female leaders of the Native American Occupation, to formerly incarcerated women sharing their stories on the island today, women’s history is everywhere on Alcatraz.

Event takes place in the New Industries Building. From the dock, go up the road and continue straight to the New Industries Building.

To get to Alcatraz Island, you’ll need to buy a ferry ticket on the Alcatraz City Cruises website. Seating for the events is first-come-first-serve and may be limited. We recommend you purchase a ticket for a ferry about one hour before the event starts.