The Washington Group
Appendix A:
Florence's Story
The stories of four persons who were influential in the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in the Washington area have been printed in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. Three of the stories can be found in the most recent edition, but the story of Florence R. was printed only in the first edition. Florence's story was removed from later editions because she was unable to remain sober. Her story, "A Feminine Victory," is reprinted below with the permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. The Washington area Big Book stories are:
"Our Southern Friend," the story of Fitz M., founder of the Washington Group. (Alcoholics Anonymous, Third edition, pp. 497-507)
"A Feminine Victory" the story of Florence R., the first woman to achieve sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous. (Alcoholics Anonymous, First edition, pp. 217-225)
"The Vicious Cycle," the story of Jimmy B., life-long friend of Fitz M., and founder of the Philadelphia Group. (Alcoholics Anonymous, Third edition, pp. 238-250)
"Jim's Story," the story of Jim S., the black doctor who founded the "Negro Group," the first black AA group in Washington, DC, and the predecessor of the Cosmopolitan Group. (Alcoholics Anonymous, Third edition, pp. 483-496)