On July 5, 2010, my regular newsletter went out to my mailing list, and postings of the following article were made on GoArticles.com and a number of social forums--all containing the first part of the Anne Ripley Smith story.
The first article is titled "Alcoholics Anonymous & 'The Mother of A.A.': Dr. Bob's Wife, Anne Smith." It centers around one of the most important books I have ever researched and written. And the book is Dick B., "Anne Smith's Journal 1933-1939: A.A.'s Principles of Success," 3rd ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 1998), ISBN 1885803-24-9. The photo of the book and a description of its contents can be found on www.dickb.com/annesm.shtml.
This first article highlights the tremendous role Anne Ripley Smith played in the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935. It details what she did and why Bill Wilson called Anne "The Mother of A.A." and a "Founder of Akron Number One"--the first A.A. Group. The article, its details and the Anne Smith Journal title should be a "must" for all women connected with A.A., 12 Step Fellowships, and organizations like Al-Anon. It should also be a "must" for all interested in the origins, history, founding, original program, and successes of pioneer A.A. It is a "must" for students of the Twelve Steps because so much of the material later penned by Bill Wilson and incorporated in the Big Book seems based on the teachings he received from Dr. Bob's wife, primarily in the summer of 1935, and recorded in Anne Smith's Journal 1933-1939.
The next article--yet to be posted--will summarize the actual contents of the little known series of pages, written by Anne, typed in part for her by her daughter Sue, and shared with AAs and their families in the first decade of A.A.
www.dickb.com; dickb@dickb.com
Gloria Deo
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