February 2 in A.A. History

In 1942, Bill W. paid tribute to Ruth Hock, A.A.’s first paid secretary and first National Secretary. Ruth, a non-alcoholic, had submitted her resignation the day before. Since 1939, when A.A. had begun to receive wide publicity, she had written some 15,000 responses to those who had contacted the Alcoholic Foundation in New York City for help.

In 1943, in Connecticut, Bill W. spoke at the first open, public meeting of the Hartford Group, celebrating its one-year anniversary [right: invitation].
    As group after group sprang up during this period, Bill traveled the country, often accompanied by Lois. His arrival in cities, towns, and villages was cause for great excitement as A.A. members flocked to hear him speak and to talk with him one-on-one. This anniversary meeting in Hartford was the first stop on a three-day trip, with stops in Springfield and Boston, both in Massachusetts, to follow. 

In 1954, Bill W. declined an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Yale University. In a letter to Yale’s secretary, Reuben A. Holden, Bill wrote [ellipses added]:

    It is only after most careful consultation with friends, and with my conscience, that I now feel obligated to decline such a mark of distinction. Were I to accept, the near term benefit to Alcoholics Anonymous and to legions who still suffer our malady would, no doubt, be worldwide and considerable.… None but the most compelling of reasons could prompt my decision to deny Alcoholics Anonymous an opportunity of this dimension.…
    The Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous—our only means of self-government—entreats each member to avoid all that particular kind of personal publicity or distinction which might link his name with our Society in the general public mind.… Because we have already had much practical experience with this vital principle, it is today the view of every thoughtful AA member that if, over the years ahead, we practice this anonymity absolutely, it will guarantee our effectiveness and unity by heavily restraining those to whom public honrs and distinctions are but the natural stepping-stones to dominance and personal power. The Tradition of personal anonymity and no honors at the public level is our protective shield. We dare not meet the power temptation naked.