On this day in 1935, a momentous meeting took place that would forever change the lives of countless individuals. Bill Wilson, better known as Bill W., met Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio. This pivotal encounter was the catalyst for the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), an organization that has since empowered millions to reclaim their lives from addiction.
Bill W.
William Griffith Wilson (1895-1971), better known as Bill Wilson or simply Bill W., was a trailblazer in the field of addiction recovery. Born in East Dorset, Vermont, Bill was a man whose promising career on Wall Street was derailed by his struggle with alcoholism. His drinking was so severe that it not only damaged his marriage but also led to his hospitalization at Towns Hospital in New York four times between 1933 and 1934.
While on a business venture in Akron, Ohio, Bill W. found himself wrestling with the temptation of alcohol. Committed to preserving his hard-won sobriety, he consulted a church directory and connected with Henrietta Seiberling.
Henrietta, who was the daughter-in-law of the Goodyear Rubber Company founder, was actively involved in the Oxford Group. This spiritual movement emphasized principles like self-examination, making amends, and helping others. It was through this connection that Henrietta introduced Bill W. to Dr. Bob Smith, a local surgeon also grappling with alcoholism.
The commitment to anonymity in Alcoholics Anonymous is so strong that its late co-founder, Bill Wilson, is still commonly referred to as “Bill W.” This enduring practice emphasizes the collective journey of recovery and serves as a lasting tribute to the organization’s focus on privacy and confidentiality.
The Momentous Meeting with Dr. Bob Smith
On Mother’s Day, May 12, 1935, Bill W. and Dr. Bob Smith met and discovered they could be pillars of support for each other in their shared battle against alcoholism. This initial meeting raised a compelling question: Could this newfound partnership benefit others?
To answer this question, Bill W. and Dr. Bob approached Bill D., a lawyer struggling with alcoholism, who was then hospitalized at Akron City Hospital. Instead of providing medical advice or moral preaching, they shared their own personal paths to recovery. This heartfelt approach struck a chord with Bill D., providing him a sense of hope that had been missing for years.
The subsequent sobriety of Bill D. confirmed the effectiveness of the AA model, demonstrating that this empathetic methodology could indeed be replicated and expanded.
AA: From Oxford Group Principles to the Big Book
The Oxford Group’s philosophies served as the initial framework for AA, but a more detailed guide was needed. By 1938, after roughly 100 individuals had found sobriety through these principles, Bill W. was tasked with penning a book to outline the program. The resulting text, commonly known as the Big Book, not only incorporated the teachings of the Oxford Group but also introduced additional steps, thereby formalizing the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions that have become the cornerstone of AA.
The Legacy of Bill Wilson
Though June 10 is the date officially celebrated as the inception of AA, it was the Mother’s Day meeting that set the stage for a fellowship now comprising around 100,000 groups and more than 2 million members globally. These events, strongly influenced by the Oxford Group and codified in the Big Book, exemplify how monumental change can stem from a single act of compassion and mutual understanding.
Beyond his transformative role in addiction recovery, Bill W. gained national recognition by being featured in TIME Magazine’s “Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century.” This honor speaks to the far-reaching impact of his work, which transcends addiction and resonates broadly in social and cultural spheres. His legacy has also been captured and celebrated through various books, movies, and documentaries that explore not only the formation and success of AA but also his own personal journey of struggle and triumph.
Recommended Reading:
- “AA Timeline.” Alcoholics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
- Gross, Michael. “Alcoholics Anonymous: Still Sober After 75 Years.” American journal of public health vol. 100,12 (2010): 2361-3. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.199349.
- “May History.” South Jersey Intergroup, Alcoholics Anonymous South Jersey.
