Sister Ignatia: Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous — Mary C. Darrah | Second Edition (2001)
Offered here is the 2001 Second Edition of Sister Ignatia: Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous by Mary C. Darrah, an important biography documenting the life and contributions of Sister Mary Ignatia Gavin, whose work alongside Dr. Bob Smith helped establish a foundation for the treatment of alcoholism in Akron, Ohio.
Known affectionately as the “Little Sister of A.A.,” Sister Ignatia played a significant role in the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Working at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, she helped provide compassionate hospital care for people suffering from alcoholism at a time when the condition was widely misunderstood and often treated as a moral failing.
Through her partnership with Dr. Bob, Sister Ignatia helped bridge the medical and spiritual approaches to recovery. Her dedication, compassion, and willingness to advocate for individuals struggling with alcoholism became an enduring part of A.A.’s early history.
Mary C. Darrah’s biography explores Sister Ignatia’s life, her relationship with the early Fellowship, and her influence on the development of alcoholism treatment.
About the Second Edition
Originally published by Loyola University Press in 1991, Sister Ignatia: Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous was updated and republished by Hazelden in 2001.
This Second Edition includes additional introductory material, including a new foreword by Bill Pittman, then Director of Historical Information for Hazelden Publishing and Educational Services.
In his foreword, Pittman recognizes Darrah’s contribution to documenting the early history of A.A., particularly her attention to Sister Ignatia’s role and the perspectives of women in the Fellowship’s history.
The book also includes historical photographs, references, appendices, and material exploring Sister Ignatia’s work in Akron and Cleveland, her spiritual convictions, and her lasting influence on alcoholism treatment.
For readers interested in Dr. Bob Smith, the early Akron Fellowship, St. Thomas Hospital, and the development of recovery treatment, this biography provides valuable historical context.
Book Details
- Title: Sister Ignatia: Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous
- Author: Mary C. Darrah
- Foreword: John Cuthbert Ford, S.J.
- Second Edition Foreword: Bill Pittman
- Publisher: Hazelden, Center City, Minnesota
- Edition: Second Edition
- Publication Year: 2001
- Original Publication: Loyola University Press, 1991
- Binding: Paperback
- ISBN: 978-1-56838-746-8
- Subject: Sister Mary Ignatia Gavin, Dr. Bob Smith, Alcoholics Anonymous history, alcoholism treatment
Condition
Good overall used condition.
The original glossy paperback covers show surface rubbing, scuffing, light scratches, and wear along the edges and corners. The spine exhibits light handling wear.
The interior pages appear clean and well-preserved in the photographed sections, with no significant markings visible.
Please review the accompanying photographs for additional details regarding condition.
Historical Significance
Sister Ignatia occupies an important place in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, particularly through her collaboration with Dr. Bob and her work establishing hospital care for alcoholics.
Mary C. Darrah’s biography preserves this history while recognizing the compassion, service, and personal dedication that characterized Sister Ignatia’s work.
An excellent addition to a personal library of Alcoholics Anonymous history, particularly for readers and collectors interested in the early Akron years, Dr. Bob Smith, Sister Ignatia, and the origins of modern alcoholism treatment.
