May 15 in A.A. History

In 1945, the Canadian magazine Maclean’s [right: cover] published “I Was a Drunk,” as told to J. J. Dingman. The piece was subtitled “A Personal Experience of Reclamation by Cooperation: The Story of a Practical Fellowship—Alcoholics Anonymous.”

In 1949, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ed W. [far left], the principal author of The Little Red Book [right], wrote a note to Bill W. to inform him that Barry C. [near left] had made significant progress. He also wanted to confirm that Bill had received the copies of The Little Red Book that Ed had sent.

    Published in 1946 by Ed W. and Barry C., The Little Red Book was intended to serve as a guide to A.A.’s Twelve Steps. Dr. Bob Smith contributed to its editing, consulted on the text, and is known to have distributed copies. It was A.A.’s first step book, intended as a companion to the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, just as Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions would later be. Together with the Akron guides and pamphlets, The Little Red Book offers insight into how Dr. Bob worked the steps and guided others through them.
    Although Bill spoke highly of The Little Red Book, the Alcoholic Foundation declined to take over its publication because the Trustees sought a book that A.A. could own. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions was eventually published in 1952.

In 1954, the Baltimore, Maryland Area Groups of Alcoholics Anonymous held their 9th Annual Banquet [left: program] at the Emerson Hotel, located at the intersection of Baltimore and Calvert Streets.

In 1961, Bill W.’s mother, Dr. Emily Ella Griffith Strobell [far right, with Bill in Yosemite National Park, 1947], 91, died at a nursing home in Dobbs Ferry, New York [near right: her gravestone].

1962. in a letter to the Calix Society^*, Bill Wilson wrote:

As you know I always have been personally partial to all persons or organizations whose good will and helpfulness to A.A. is beyond question. You need not have said that you strive to keep your efforts within the framework of the traditions of Alcoholics Anony­mous. I know you have tried and have succeeded.

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^*  A Catholic organization that supports people recovering from alcoholism and other addictions, their families, and friends. Founded in the 1940s, Calix helps members maintain sobriety by integrating their Catholic faith with the principles of 12-Step recovery.