February 15 in A.A. History

In 1918, Suzanne was born into a troubled family and spent two years in institutional care. At the age of five, she found a real home when Dr. Bob and Anne S. adopted her.

In 1940, The Evening Star in Washington, D.C., published a letter to the editor from Harold G. Waters, correcting their February 9 report on the Rockefeller dinner (“Rockefeller Is Backing Move to Cure Alcoholics”). The article had stated, “Rockefeller was host at dinner to a ‘secret organization’ known as ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’…” Waters clarified:

    “Alcoholics Anonymous” is neither secret nor an organization. There are no officers, no dues. It may more nearly be called a fellowship. It exists not only in New York, but also in other cities, and has already done great work here in Washington. A book, also entitled “Alcoholics Anonymous,” which gives a good idea of the work that is being done, may be either purchased or rented from the Y. W. C. A. library.

In 1946, The A.A. Tribune, a newsletter published by A.A. members in Des Moines, Iowa, since at least December 1943, reported 36 new members following a visit from Marty M. [date of visit unknown].

In 1947, Vital Speeches of the Day published Marty M.’s address to the Economic Club of Detroit—delivered to both a live audience and radio listeners—about the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism (NCEA) and Alcoholics Anonymous.