1953 Ontario Regional Conference Program Featuring Bill D. — A.A. #3 — and Ethel M.

Ontario Regional Conference Program — First Ontario Regional A.A. Conference
Royal York Hotel · Toronto, Canada · March 28–29, 1953
Featuring Bill D. — A.A. #3 — and Ethel M., First Woman Sober in Akron

Description

Offered here is an original program from the first Ontario Regional Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous, held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Canada, on March 28th and 29th, 1953.

This is a unique and meaningful piece of early A.A. history, documenting one of the important regional gatherings of the Fellowship during the early 1950s. By this time, Alcoholics Anonymous had grown far beyond Akron and New York, and conferences like this helped strengthen unity, service, sponsorship, group life, and the shared spiritual message across cities, provinces, and countries.

What makes this program especially significant is the presence of two early Akron A.A. pioneers listed as guest speakers:

Bill D. — Akron
Bill D. is remembered in A.A. history as A.A. #3, the first person to achieve lasting sobriety through the help of both Dr. Bob and Bill W. His recovery marked the moment when Alcoholics Anonymous moved beyond two sober men helping one another and became a working program that could be carried to another alcoholic.

Ethel M. — Akron
Ethel M. had a sobriety date of May 8, 1941 and is remembered as the first woman to get sober in Akron. She is also the author of the Big Book story “From Farm to City.” Her presence at this 1953 conference adds a powerful connection to early Akron A.A., women in recovery, and the personal story tradition preserved in Alcoholics Anonymous.

Program Highlights

The program includes scheduled panels and meetings covering many core A.A. topics, including:

“Your Sponsor — Your Group”
Topics included choosing a sponsor, being a sponsor, group membership, and the function of the group.

“Anonymity”
Topics included responsibility toward fellow members, responsibility in relation to the public, and the spiritual significance of anonymity.

“Tradition”
Topics included the significance of A.A. Traditions, group conscience, public relations policy, and principles above personalities.

“The Woman Alcoholic”
A dedicated panel addressing women in A.A., family attitudes, and A.A. as a spiritual adventure.

General Service Conference Meeting
For A.A. members only, including election of officers and delegate selection.

“12 Steps to Our Release” — A.A. Wives
An early family-focused session reflecting the developing role of A.A. wives and family groups before Al-Anon became widely established.

“God As We Understood Him”
Sunday sessions focused on spiritual principles, recognition of a Higher Power, and presentation to the new member.

The Sunday banquet lists Bill D. of Akron as guest speaker, while the Saturday evening open meeting lists Ethel M. of Akron as guest speaker.

Historical & Collector Significance

This program captures A.A. in an important period of growth, just before the publication of the Second Edition Big Book in 1955 and during the years when regional conferences, service structure, Traditions, sponsorship, and group conscience were becoming central parts of A.A. life.

For collectors, the connection to Bill D. and Ethel M. makes this far more than a regional conference program. It is a direct printed link to the Akron roots of Alcoholics Anonymous and to two individuals whose stories represent major milestones in A.A. history.

The program also reflects several important themes in early A.A.:

The spread of A.A. into Canada
The importance of sponsorship and group life
The growing role of Traditions and General Service
The inclusion of women’s experience in A.A.
The presence of early Akron pioneers at regional gatherings
The developing connection between A.A. and family recovery work

Condition

Program is in good vintage condition with age toning, light handling wear, and some discoloration consistent with age. Interior pages remain readable and intact. There are handwritten notes on some pages, including notations near the A.A. Wives session and the Sunday banquet listing Bill D.

Please view all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

Collector’s Note

Original early A.A. conference programs are increasingly difficult to find, especially examples connected to major early members. This 1953 Ontario Regional Conference program is especially desirable because it documents the first Ontario Regional Conference and includes two important Akron figures: Bill D., A.A. #3, and Ethel M., the first woman sober in Akron.

A strong addition for collectors of A.A. conference material, Akron history, Canadian A.A. history, early women in A.A., Big Book story authors, and rare regional A.A. ephemera.