History’s Corner – June 2017 – Ann Smith/Lois Wilson, “Lois Remembers” by Victor L, Decisions Group, Winter Springs FL

Bill Wilson and Doctor Bob each had the greatest supporters in helping them to recover from the addiction of alcoholism – their wives. Bill had Lois and Bob had Ann. One of the most important issues to arise in early recovery using the 12 steps of AA was the vital fact that recovery affects the families and society, but support of family loved ones is vital to the benefit of the recovery program. Ann Smith passed away in 1949, the year before Doctor Bob’s death, but she should be recognized as the person who instilled needed spirituality in her husband’s life of sobriety and service. Without her efforts, we may not have had this fellowship. Lois also was an important part of the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Remember, family considerations are discussed in chapters 8, 9 and 10 in the big book. Lois Burnham Wilson, born on March 4, 1891, died October 5, 1988, was the loving, faithful wife of Bill W. Like all family members who suffer with the family addiction of alcoholism, her early married life was one of pain, anger, suffering and fear. Better women than Lois would probably not stay in a marriage with an alcoholic who was deathly ill from the effects of alcoholism. Lois loved Bill, however, and helped him to find recovery. One may also say Lois was the major instrument in Bill’s struggle to find a solution to his addiction. When Bill sobered up in 1935, and with the help of Dr. Bob founded AA, Lois was the faithful worker in the background, feeding, clothing and working to help many of the early members of AA sobering up in New York City. Lois was the eldest of 6 children of Dr. Clark and Matilda Burnham, a prominent physician in New York, who spent family vacations in Vermont where Lois met Bill and married him in 1918. Lois founded the Al-Anon groups, which are based on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions found in Alcoholics Anonymous. Lois was instrumental in presenting the truth about alcoholism and addiction. It is a family illness, and family members suffer from alcoholism, and sometimes this fact is overlooked by the priests, ministers and health workers trying to treat the illness. The big book contains three chapters on family and work, Chapters 8, 9, and 10. We know from Bill’s written reflections that Lois influenced the writing of these chapters because she actually wanted to write one chapter on family, but Bill refused to allow her which caused much anger and frustration between Bill and Lois. In 1979, eight years after Bill’s death, Lois published her autobiography called, “Lois remembers.” Her reflections on page 171 confirm the thinking and practice of the early members of AA and later Al-Anon. “In the beginning, AA was a family affair. Mates, parents and children attended the meetings, usually held in homes. Many of the wives tried to live by the program themselves and made much progress, but this was in a general way.” Lois used this platform to develop and start AlAnon, and millions of family members have been helped in this cause. May God bless and remember all the work and vision of Lois who helped save millions from the alcoholic nightmare. Lois passed away in 1988 and the age of 97.