February in A.A. History—day unknown

1908: In August, Bill W.’s grandfather, Gardner Griffith, had challenged him to become the first non-Aboriginal to create a functioning boomerang [right: a boomerang]. Now, on a cold afternoon after six months of dedicated work—during which, as Bill put it, he 

    … did nothing else… but whittle on those infernal boomerangs. [Finally] I sawed the headboard out of my bed to get just the right piece of wood, and out in the old workshop at night by the light of the lantern I whittled away.

    With his grandfather standing beside him at the edge of the churchyard, Bill prepared to throw his latest attempt at a boomerang. It soared “around the churchyard in front of the house” before curving back toward them. To avoid being decapitated, they both lunged forward. The boomerang crashed against a nearby headstone. They sat up, and Bill whispered, “I did it. I did it.” He jumped to his feet and let out a banshee scream “that could have been heard in Manchester. ‘I did it…’”

1916: Bill W. returned to Norwich University [left: buildings on campus, c. 1911?] , still classified as a freshman. His roommate, a sophomore, informed him that the sophomores planned to “get” the freshmen. Since Bill had attended the previous year and most of his friends were sophomores, he was invited to observe. At first, the initiation seemed harmless; freshmen were paddled with straps and staves. However, things escalated quickly when the entire freshman class appeared armed with clubs and bayonets. It took considerable effort to disarm them, resulting in smashed heads, broken bones, and several students ending up in the infirmary.
    The next morning, the commandant held a trial and decided to expel eight sophomores he identified as the ringleaders. In response, the other sophomores insisted that if eight were to be expelled, then all should face the same fate, and they signed a statement to that effect, including Bill. The following evening, it was announced that the entire sophomore class would be suspended indefinitely. Some of Bill's friends argued that he wasn't truly a sophomore and had only been a bystander. However, Bill maintained that he had signed the paper, given his word, and chose to walk out with the others.

1923: Bill W. failed a class on Equity and subsequently left Brooklyn Law School [right: Brooklyn Eagle Building, home of Brooklyn Law School, 1923].

1939: The “well-known” psychiatrist, Dr. Howard from Montclair, New Jersey (probably Dr. James W. Howard [left]) proposed changes to the multilith manuscript of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous. According to Bill W.,

    He pointed out that the text of our book was too full of the words “you” and “must.” He suggested that we substitute wherever possible such expressions as “we ought” or “we should.” His idea was to replace all forms of coercion, to put our fellowship on a “we ought” basis instead of a “you must” basis.… I argued weakly against it but soon gave in; it was perfectly apparent that the doctor was right. Dr. Silkworth and Dr. Tiebout gave us similar advice…

    Jimmy Burwell told a different story:

    Dr. Howard… became greatly interested and enthusiastic, but was highly critical of several things in the book, for after reading it he told us there was entirely too much “Oxfordism” and that it was too demanding.  This is where the disaster nearly overtook us, for it nearly threw Bill into a terrific mental uproar to have his baby pulled apart by an out­side screwball psychiatrist, who in our opinion knew nothing about alcoholism.
    After days of wrangling between Bill, Hank, Fitz and myself, Bill was finally convinced that all positive and must statements should be eliminated and in their place to use the word “suggest” and the expression “we found we had to.”

1940: Sterling C. from Little Rock, Arkansas, had gotten sober in 1935 by following the plan outlined in Richard C. Peabody's The Common Sense of Drinking. For six months, he had worked with Harlan N. to help him stay sober. In October 1939, after reading Morris Markey's article “Alcoholics and God” in Liberty magazine, the two of them wrote to A.A. in New York City to request a copy of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous. Unfortunately, the book was sent to Harlan, who was drunk at the time, and it was returned.
    Later, Sterling's boss, Foster Vineyard, read about Rockefeller's dinner for A.A. in Time magazine and informed Sterling. This prompted Sterling to request another Big Book, this time having it sent directly to him. Harlan would soon sober up and then help Bud G., who was incarcerated in the “nut house” (i.e., State Hospital) for his drinking problems. Bud would read the Big Book three times and underwent a remarkable transformation. His psychiatrist, Dr. Nick Hollis, would be so impressed that he would order a second copy of the book.
    In June, Sterling, Harlan, and Bud G., would found Little Rock's Central Group, the first A.A. group in Arkansas.

1940: The Alcoholics Anonymous group in Detroit, Michigan, which had started with three alcoholics and one non-alcoholic, had grown to seven members and started meeting in the basement of a non-alcoholic couple, the Bensons, on Taylor Avenue. This location was affectionately referred to as “Benson's Basement.”
    The group later relocated to 4242 Cass Avenue, where it became known as the Downtown Group.

1945: The A.A. Grapevine published “Points of View: Arkansas Style,” written by Bud G., a founder of A.A. in Little Rock, Arkansas.

    It all began in March, 1940, in the mind and heart of a Little Rock (trumpet playing) insurance executive, an alco­holic who had been dry for five years after reading Peabody and practicing an unlabeled brand of A.A. He had had very little success with fellow alcoholics and when he read the first notice of A.A. he sent for the book.
    He roped in a furniture salesman (without wares) and a broken down (young) newspaperman who had buried him­self (for keeps he thought) deep in the oblivion of the State Hospital for Nervous Diseases.
    These pioneers in what Bill calls the “mail order section” went to local newspapers and obtained a modest notice in each; rented a Post Office box; began contacting ministers, police and court officials, and exploring flophouses, pool­rooms, courts.
    Business was brisk.
    Within a few weeks the membership included 25 men and two women.
    The troubles began early. Some of the men got the idea that they had joined a wet nursing organization and pro­ceeded to turn it into one; the women turned out to be less alcoholic than unattached. One by one the members sloughed off.
    Result: three months after founding, four charter members remained, two shaky.
    At this time, prospects were given only the book, the weekly meeting, the offer of association, and were more or less on their own. One of the charter members drafted a program which, after several overhaulings dictated by tryouts, be­came known as The Little Rock Plan, or the Approach Program. The sole motive behind it was to improve effective­ness of the group's service to alcoholics.

1949: The first Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland, were established with significant contributions from Sir Philip Dundas [right], the head of one of Scotland’s oldest clans. In 1948, the Alcoholic Foundation had registered him as a loner in Campbeltown. Earlier that February, Sir Philip, a Scottish gentleman farmer, had gone to an International Christian Leadership conference in the United States, where a group of businessmen were working to integrate faith into industry by creating breakfast prayer clubs. He believed that engaging in such positive endeavors might help him stay off the drink. Bill W. later wrote,

    At the very first session he met an old time Philadelphia A.A. member, George R., who gave him A.A. right off the spiritual main line. The head of one of Scotland’s most ancient clans sobered up on the spot. He took A.A. back to his native heath, and soon alcoholic Scots were drying up all the way from Glasgow ship chandlers to society folks in Edinburgh.

    Later in February 1948, the Foundation sent a letter to A.A. members in London, describing him as 

    … an alcoholic who stopped drinking some four years ago on spiritual principles, but on his own and before he heard of A.A

1949: Dr. John P. joined Alcoholics Anonymous and got sober. His story, “The Professor and the Paradox,” appeared in the second and third editions of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.
    Born in Atlanta, Georgia, John was recognized for his thick Southern accent. He described himself as naturally shy, sensitive, fearful, envious, and resentful—traits he believed contributed to both his successes and challenges. These characteristics motivated him to earn a Ph.D. and to publish extensively, partly as a way to compete with or defy others.
    Professionally, John served as an English professor for 21 years at the University of Alabama before moving to Kent State University in Ohio. He became a social drinker in his early twenties without immediate problems, but his drinking escalated under life’s pressures, eventually leading to full-blown alcoholism after graduate school.
    John’s alcoholism resulted in significant consequences, including a harrowing incident where he became “violently insane” during a drunken episode and ended up in jail—this served as his turning point before joining A.A. In his writings and talks, he humorously explored the ironies of alcoholism and recovery, outlining four central A.A. paradoxes:

1.     We surrender to win.
2.     We give away to keep.
3.     We suffer to get well.
4.     We die to live.

    John was known for his wit and insight in A.A. discussions, and he updated his story for the January 1968 issue of the A.A. Grapevine, highlighting the necessity for personal change beyond merely quitting drinking. He believed that recovery in A.A. involved transforming self-centeredness, honestly working through the Twelve Steps, and addressing emotional shortcomings.
    In summary, Dr. John P. was a respected academic and writer whose personal battles with alcoholism, engaging personality, and contributions through A.A. talks and writings left a lasting impact within the fellowship.

February 3 in A.A. History

1953: Lillian R. appeared on This is Your Life [right: still from this episode], a reality documentary TV series that aired on NBC from 1952 to 1961. She was one of the first celebrities to openly discuss her alcoholism and recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous. Lillian was described as a “topflight torch singer of the Prohibition era,” who “cheerfully admits that she had been a hopeless drunk for 16 years before being rescued by Alcoholics Anonymous.” Ralph Edwards, the creator, producer, and host of the series, described Lillian’s struggles with “impending blindness, an inflamed sinus, and a form of alcoholic insanity.” He also invited a psychiatrist who had treated her, a brother-in-law “who had paid her bills,” and several “glamorous foul-weather friends” to join the discussion.
    This appearance would later inspire both the book and movie I’ll Cry Tomorrow.

2023: Jimmy D., Class B (alcoholic) Regional Trustee and new Interim Chair of the General Service Board, announced in a letter [left] that 

    … during its quarterly board weekend [27–30 January 2023]… at the board’s request, Linda Chezem [right] has resigned as a Class A Trustee and Chair of the Board.…  As First Vice Chair of the General Service Board (per the slate of officers elected at the 2022 General Service Conference), and with the approval of the Board in a special session held last Monday, I have now assumed the role of Interim Chairperson until the close of the GSC in April 2023. My service as Southwest Regional Trustee will also end at that time.

February 2 in A.A. History

1938: Bill W. wrote a letter in reply to Frank Amos’ verbal request on 30 January for contacts in Akron, Ohio. He identifed two ministers, three doctors, the entire staff of Akron City Hospital, Henrietta Seiberling, and T. Henry and Clarace Williams. He also reported on a possible sanitarium location in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and three in Akron, all “having very large brick houses,” “with 25 to 30 rooms,” and “which could be used at once, without much outlay for changes.” Two are priced at $70,000 [~ $1,600,000 in 2026] with 8-12 acres, the third at $35,000 [~$800,000 in 2026]. He went on to speculate:

    I imagine that plces of this sort are rather abundant as lot of money has been made and lost in Akron in rubber.

1942: Bill W. honored Ruth Hock [right], Alcoholics Anonymous’s first paid secretary and first National Secretary. The day before, Ruth had submitted her resignation in order to to marry. Since the early days of A.A.’s publicity, she had written around 15,000 replies to individuals who reached out to the Alcoholic Foundation office in New York City seeking help.

1943: In Connecticut, Bill W. spoke at the Hartford Group’s first public meeting, marking its one-year anniversary [left: invitation]. During this time, as numerous groups sprouted up, Bill traveled across the country, often accompanied by his wife Lois. His visits to towns, both large and small, generated significant excitement as A.A. members flocked to hear his talks and engage with him personally. The anniversary meeting in Hartford was the first stop on a three-day trip, which continued on to Springfield and Boston, both in Massachusetts.

1954: Bill W. declined an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Yale University [right: AI-generated (fake) diploma for an honorary Doctor of Laws degree granted to Bill W. in 1954]. In a letter to Reuben A. Holden, the university’s secretary, he wrote,

    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 honors 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.

February 1 in A.A. History

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.

    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.
    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”.

    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.

January 31 in A.A. History

1940: Frederic J. Haskins, in his column “Haskin’s Answers to Readers’ Questions” in Washington, DC’s The Evening Star, addresses a reader's inquiry about Alcoholics Anonymous [right]:

Q. Please give some information about an organization called Alcoholics Anonymous.—H. T. S.

A. This is a group of former alcoholics who meet in Steinway Hall, New York City, to strengthen one another’s resolutions and help other alcoholics to reform. They have recently published a book entitled “Alcoholics Anonymous.”

1946: Charles Welch [far left]—a nonalcoholic and Honorary Lifetime Vice President of the first A.A. group in Vancouver, British Columbia [center left: Welch’s home, an early meeting place for the group]—signed a certificate of “tribute” [near left] to Charles B., the group’s first alcoholic member.

2003: The second meeting of the month-long Online Service Conference (OSC) concluded.

    New committees were organized, including one to search for more online A.A. groups who might be invited to OSC, a Literature Committee, a Translation Committee and a Web Committee. Nominations were taken for candidates for the Steering Committee, to be voted on at the third OSC in July 2003. No Online Advisory Actions were voted during the second conference.

2004: The fourth meeting of the month-long Online Service Conference (OSC) concluded.

    The most significant action at the assembly was introduction of a proposed Charter for OSC presented by James C. from the United Kingdom, as chairman of the Voting Methods Committee. The Web Committee also presented its work on the OSC website for comment by the assembly. No voting actions were offered with the agenda or acted upon during the conference assembly.

By the end of the year, the OSC website (aa-onlineserviceconference.org) would go dark [right: last capture by the Internet Archive of the OSC website, 18 Sep 2004].

January 30 in A.A. History

1938: Frank Amos and his wife visited Bill and Lois W. in Brooklyn. They discussed Frank’s upcoming trip to Akron, Ohio, in detail, including the proposed hospital there. Before leaving, Frank asked Bill for advice on whom to contact upon his arrival in Akron. Bill would take the next two days to develop his recommendations. 

1945: Walter Winchell’s syndicated gossip column, “Coast-to-Coast” [right], under the heading “THINGS FEW NEW YORKERS KNOW,” mentioned Alcoholics Anonymous in passing twice. First:

    This has been the year of alcoholidays. “The Lost Weekend” best-sold a nation into cautionary drinking; “Harvey,” the Pooka, turned the other cheek of laughter; and Alcoholics Anonymous are shouting so loud they are fast becoming as familiar as a hangover.

    Then:

    Carrie Nation smashed the bars of a nation, but New York’s were too much for her. She sputtered and spumed, but accomplished no more than having a nude statue draped and sending a lot of barmen’s blood pressure up. “The Lost Weekend” caused a lot more pity than the real sight does; “Harvey” makes it a good deal funnier than it always it [sic]; Alcoholics Anonymous have been there before.

1961: Dr. Carl Jung [left], in Kusnacht-Zurich, Switzerland, responded to a letter from Bill W. [right] dated January 23rd, which acknowledged Jung’s unwitting contribution to Alcoholics Anonymous through his work with Rowland Hazard [below left, 1921] in the 1930s. He expressed that Bill’s letter was “very welcome indeed.” Jung noted that he had never heard from Rowland and had “often wondered what has been his fate.” He mentioned that Rowland had “adequately reported” their conversations, although he couldn’t share “everything” with Rowland, having learned over the years of his practice that he would likely be misunderstood “in every possible way.” What he couldn’t share with Rowland…

    was the equivalent on a low level of the spiritual thirst of our being for wholeness, expressed in medieval language: the union with God^*. How could one formulate such an insight in a language that is not misunderstood in our days?

---

^*“As the heart panteth after the water brook, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” Psalm 42, 1

    Jung said that such a person must “walk on a path which leads [one] to higher understanding.” This can be done “by an act of grace,” “through a personal and honest contact with friends,” or “through a higher education of the mind beyond the confines of mere rationalism.” He noted that Rowland had clearly chosen the second way.

    I am strongly convinced that the evil principle prevailing in this world leads the unrecognized spiritual need into perdition, if it is not counteracted either by a real religious insight or by the protective wall of human community. An ordinary man, not protected by an action from above and isolated in society, cannot resist the power of evil, which is called very aptly the Devil. But the use of such words arouse[s] so many mistakes that one can only keep aloof from them as much as possible.…
    Alcohol in Latin is spiritus, and you use the same word for the highest religious experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula therefore is: spiritus contra spiritum.

1969: The Post of Big Stone Gap, Virginia published “Invitational Meet For AA Is Set” [left], which stated:

    An invitational meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous will be held on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 9 at 2:30 at the Old Dominion Power Co. Building in Norton.
    Any person interested in learning something about this world-wide organization and its approach to the growing problem of alcoholism is welcome.
    The meeting will be conducted by out-of-state members of AA and will last exactly one hour per organizational policy. These visiting members will be available after the meeting to answer individual questions.

1971: The Evening Star (Washington, DC) published “Bill W.”, an editorial [right], 6 days after Bill’s death, which stated,

    Alcoholics Anonymous is by far the most effective organization dealing with one of man’s oldest medical and social problems.… AA is an organization in which people give much of themselves to assist other sufferers. Many are in Mr. W—–’s debt for his showing how it could be done.

January 29 in A.A. History

1947: At the Alcoholic Foundation in New York City, a transatlantic operator put through a call from Nordholz, Germany, just before 3 o’clock in the afternoon, having arranged it the day before (the first transatlantic all ever received at the Foundation). The call came from the base surgeon at a U.S. Army hospital in Germany, who was concerned about his friend and patient, Captain B., an A.A. member. The captain was in serious trouble; he had been tried by a military court and sentenced to discharge for drunkenness on duty. Would A.A. help?
    The surgeon provided a brief history of Captain B.:

    According to the base surgeon, Captain B.’s troubles began when he tried again to drink “socially.” A member of A.A. in a western state, the captain had earned an excellent record in the Army during the war. When the war ended, he was stationed in Germany where eventually he attempted “to take a few drinks.” The inevitable happened and now the captain had been convicted of drunkenness on duty. Was there anything A.A. could do?

    The surgeon further explained that Captain B. was aboard an Army transport ship scheduled to arrive in New York City at 8:30 a.m. in three days, on February 1. The A.A. staff quickly sprang into action.
    They found an ex-Army officer who was an A.A. member and agreed to drop everything to help. The ex-officer contacted a Catholic bishop, a friend of A.A., who reached out to the Port of Embarkation in New York City. He learned that the priest there had served as chaplain on the very same ship, allowing him to board as soon as it docked. Additionally, they found a lawyer sympathetic to A.A. who was willing to assist the captain.
    Once Captain B.’s ship arrived, the priest interviewed him and reported that it had gone well, indicating that the man was indeed worth helping. He also noted that the captain was deeply grateful for everything being done for him and was enormously surprised that anything was being done! Captain B. was awaiting the disposition of his case at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. Although he was under arrest, A.A. secretaries arranged for visitors to see him. The attorney was waiting for a response from Washington, D.C., regarding his request. The priest at the port had also been in contact with his colleagues at Camp Kilmer, who promised to do what they could for the captain.
    The A.A. Grapevine reported this story, titled “Phone Call Across the Ocean Sets A.A. in Motion.” in its March 1947 issue.

2023: In an unprecedented incident, two trustees of the General Service Board (GSB) of Alcoholics Anonymous arrived at a meeting with unsigned letters of resignation. This meeting was a scheduled GSB “planning” session with non-board members, rather than an executive session. The two trustees surprised the non-alcoholic GSB chair, Judge Linda Chezem [left], along with other trustees, by demanding her resignation; they stated that if she refused, they would sign and submit their own resignations. Judge Chezem responded that she would resign if that was the board's wish, after which she was asked to leave the room. The GSB—presumably after thorough and fully informed discussion—voted unanimously to accept her verbal offer to resign. They then drafted a letter for her to sign. When she was called back into the room and asked to sign the letter, she handwrote the phrase “As requested by the board” before signing and leaving.