March 14 in A.A. History

In 1906, Sylvia B. [right, 1923] was born in Washington, DC. She would marry and later divorce Philip K. Despite the divorce, she would continue to use his last name and, as Sylvia K., become the first woman in Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) to achieve “permanent” long-term sobriety, which would begin on 13 September 1939, in Chicago, Illinois. Her story, titled “Keys to the Kingdom,” is in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th editions of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

In 1942, the New Jersey Group of Alcoholics Anonymous held an anniversary dinner at the Hotel Suburban [left], located at 141 S. Harrison St. in South Orange, New Jersey, with Bill W. as the featured speaker. Tickets were priced at $2.50 [$49 in 2025 dollars].

In 1949, Dr. Bob S., knowing he was dying of cancer, wrote to Bill W. [far right] concerning the General Service Conference idea,

    Have been feeling quite painfully ill… Do not have the feeling that this [conference] is a particularly guided thing to do now. Maybe I am wrong, but that is the way I feel. Why don’t you see if can get the boys to put across this committee and let it go at that.