Lois Wilson (activist)

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For other women with a similar name, see Lois Wilson

Lois Wilson née Burnham (4 March 1891 – 6 October 1988) was the founder of Al-Anon, a support group for the friends and family of alcoholics. She was the wife of Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill W.

She was born into affluence in Brooklyn Heights with her father being a prominent surgeon and gynecologist. Abraham Lincoln's grandchildren were playmates of her siblings when they were young and they attended prestigious schools. Her family were adherents of Swedenborgianism, but the schools she attended in youth tended to be Quaker in nature.

Her marriage to Bill W. began to degrade due to a combination of miscarriages and his drinking problem. Lois began to work on efforts for families of alcoholics after Bill had gone through rehabilitation and founded AA. These efforts led to the founding of Al-Anon, although this was not the first program of its kind.

The marriage was further strained by years of Bill's adultery. He had multiple affairs and considered eloping to Ireland with his long-term mistress.

After Bill died in 1971 of emphysema, Lois inherited 90% of her late husband's estate and copyright royalties from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill left the other 10% of his estate to his longstanding mistress.

Without children, she left the home Stepping Stones in Bedford Hills, New York she and Bill had owned since 1941 to the Stepping Stones Foundation. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and has become a tour destination for members of the organizations.

[edit] References

Borchert, William. The Lois Wilson Story: When Love Is Not Enough. Hazelden, 2005. ISBN 1-59285-328-5
Ragge, Ken. The Real AA: Behind the Myth of Twelve Step Recovery. See Sharp Press, 1997. ISBN 1-88436-514-0
"Lois's Story", How Al-Anon Works for Families and Friends of Alcoholics. Virginia Beach, VA: Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., 136-137. ISBN 0-910034-26-5.