Honoring Women in Alcoholics Anonymous: Past, Present and Future

March is Women’s History Month. This means we celebrate women’s contribution to culture, history and society. A prime time, then, to acknowledge sober women in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that make our communities and world a better place.

You may be thinking, “Why sober alcoholic women? What have they done to contribute?” Maybe you copped a scowly attitude when you met the same woman I encountered a few years ago:

This sober woman, a member of AA, said, “Because I’m not drinking and dealing drugs any more, people should be grateful,” as if the absence of her active alcoholism and drug dealing was the actual contribution! This is not the contribution of which I speak.

Recovery for women in AA is way more than “putting the plug in the jug.” Becoming useful in countless ways (being of service) becomes the mainstay of a sober existence. Some of these acts of service look big while others may go seemingly unnoticed and under the radar. All efforts serve to uplift humanity.

Let’s take a look at a few of these past, present and (what will be) future contributions.

PAST

The stigma for women alcoholics in the early days of AA was much greater than for men. “Nice girls” weren’t drunks. They weren’t as accepted as men who just drank too much, either. So, in the late 1930’s when the first few ladies came to AA for help, one can imagine the courage it took to admit to others (and to the men who comprised the entire membership of AA), “I am an alcoholic.”

One of these brave women, Marty Mann, entered the rooms of AA in 1939. Four years later she was to break her anonymity (revealed to the public she was an alcoholic). She had a reason.

In 1944, Marty founded the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism. This organization was formed (in conjunction with the medical/scientific community) to educate people about alcoholism. Marty, in carrying the message of recovery around the nation, demonstrated that alcoholics can be helped, and are worth helping. Today, this organization is known as the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), and is the leading advocacy organization in the world on alcoholism and drug dependence.

Marty’s work in the field underscored that alcoholism is a disease and social problem, and not about morality or weak willed folk. She made it okay for all people (not just women) to learn about and find a solution to a disease that previously had no remedy.

Pretty awesome, wouldn’t you agree?

Marty is just one of the courageous women pioneers in AA. For more, go to:

Marty Mann and the Early Women in AA | AA Agnostica

PRESENT

Numerous recovery facilities exist nation wide, and most cost money - a lot of money. A few places, however, stay alive by donations and volunteers. One of these for-free homes is Ashland Home in Laguna Hills, California.

Established in 1998 by Ann B. and others, Ashland Home - for women suffering from alcoholism - has given over 3,000 ladies the opportunity for a sober life of usefulness and love.

Over the years Ann, with her boundless energy and vision, has recruited countless sober women volunteers to run Ashland and grow it into what it is today:

* A no cost, 30-day stay home for women in their first month of sobriety; and,

* Two low-cost sober living homes where the women can go to after 30 days, provided they have a job.

(Future plans are in the works for a low-cost apartment for women leaving the year-long stay.)

Ashland is more than just a place to dry out, though. Spiritual principles anchor the entire operation. Attendance at AA meetings is part of the deal, along with chores, and taking responsibility for one’s own recovery and board. For some, making one’s own bed is just the start into a spiritual life of caring for oneself and others.

At Ashland, ran by an all volunteer, non-paid staff (over 50% who have sobered up there), women find a home - and love.

For more info. on Ashland or to donate, go to:

Ashland Home (ashland-home.org)

Ann and scores of other women in AA give of themselves in ways that inspire other women to demonstrate spiritual principles with practical action. This action is not reserved just for the women of Ashland and alcoholics in AA, though.

Living a sober, spiritual life is about caring for everyone.

Another charity Ann founded (in the 90’s but officially legal in 2013) is Action Angles. The “angels” (people recruited from Ann’s network of friends and associates), help low income families in need of basics, like a meal or a doctor’s appointment for lice. This year, Action Angels adopted 88 families, providing utilities, clothing, toys, rent and more.

Although love and service may start with “one alcoholic helping another,” it doesn’t end in the confines of an AA meeting or any recovery facility. Ann, with her pragmatic deeds and gift at mobilizing others to help All others demonstrates:

Spiritual care

is for

ALL people

everywhere.

FUTURE

We can’t predict the future, or know if more sober women of AA will be honored for their contributions down Recovery Road. After all, anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all of AA’s traditions. Even Marty Mann discontinued identifying herself as an alcoholic in her work (with the organization she helped start).

We can, however, look back and see the ripple effect sobriety has made in the lives of some people, maybe someone you know. One woman’s recovery, perhaps yours, could positively influence thousands.

TRANSFORM THE FUTURE NOW

One year into the pandemic, societies continue to evaluate public health crises, including alcoholism and addiction. Meanwhile, recovering women, too, persist in taking inventory of their lives to expand spiritual health.

These women make restorative adjustments for their own well-being. They “give it away to keep it.” They live the message in and outside AA meeting halls. Like Marty and Ann, these anonymous women demonstrate:

Spiritual healing is doable and for everyone.

This focus on one’s own recovery — right now — can transform the world in the most positive way for generations to come.

With this, I honor the Marty’s, Ann’s and every other sober woman in AA that has taken a phone call, listened, started a business or charity, written a book, encouraged, wept, laughed, and said, “Maybe it’s time to do an inventory.”

For any lady out there suffering from alcoholism (sober or not), why not make history today, in your own way?