1918:
Bill W. and Lois Burham’s wedding had originally been scheduled for this
date but was moved up to 24 January due to World War I, specifically because
of rumors that Bill’s military unit would be shipped out before then.
1942: Ruth Hock [right], A.A.’s first paid secretary (from 1936) and first National Secretary (from 1940), resigned from her position, effective the 28th, to get married.
1947: Marty M. [left: giving a talk]
addressed the Economic Club of Detroit and a radio audience on the topic of
“Alcoholics Anonymous.” Her presentation marked “a significant milestone in
public understanding of alcoholism as a treatable disease.” With a powerful
and eloquent delivery, she challenged prevailing misconceptions about
alcoholism and showcased A.A. as a viable path to recovery. Emphasizing the
economic costs of alcoholism, she aligned her message with the interests of
the Economic Club and highlighted the potential for rehabilitation and
reintegration into society. The talk received widespread media coverage,
helping to ignite a national conversation about alcoholism and A.A.’s
potential impact.
1974: Thomas “Tom” P. [right], an early member of Alcoholics Anonymous in California and sober since
1946, had previously served as Assistant Secretary of Defense and Special
Assistant to President Eisenhower. He wrote a letter to President Richard M.
Nixon, recommending the use of the 12 Steps—not due to any issues with
drinking, but as a means to address the Watergate crisis.
1942: Ruth Hock [right], A.A.’s first paid secretary (from 1936) and first National Secretary (from 1940), resigned from her position, effective the 28th, to get married.
1947: Marty M. [left: giving a talk]
addressed the Economic Club of Detroit and a radio audience on the topic of
“Alcoholics Anonymous.” Her presentation marked “a significant milestone in
public understanding of alcoholism as a treatable disease.” With a powerful
and eloquent delivery, she challenged prevailing misconceptions about
alcoholism and showcased A.A. as a viable path to recovery. Emphasizing the
economic costs of alcoholism, she aligned her message with the interests of
the Economic Club and highlighted the potential for rehabilitation and
reintegration into society. The talk received widespread media coverage,
helping to ignite a national conversation about alcoholism and A.A.’s
potential impact.
1974: Thomas “Tom” P. [right], an early member of Alcoholics Anonymous in California and sober since
1946, had previously served as Assistant Secretary of Defense and Special
Assistant to President Eisenhower. He wrote a letter to President Richard M.
Nixon, recommending the use of the 12 Steps—not due to any issues with
drinking, but as a means to address the Watergate crisis.I suggest that you substitute the word, “Watergate” for “alcohol” in the first step (which would then read “admitted we were powerless over Watergate, and that our lives had become unmanageable”). Then you should conscientiously apply the rest of the 12 steps to your own situation. I am confident such a course of personal action rigorously followed, would ultimately resolve this difficult dilemma for you and the country.In June 1973, Tom would arrange for Dr. Jack Norris, Chairman of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, to present the 1,000,000th copy of our Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, to Nixon.
My prime suggestion: In whatever way you can, after carefully studying Steps 4, 5, 6, and 7, put Step 10 into action: — “when we were wrong, promptly admitted it”.
