Lottie T was the first official female member of Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain. But, just before Lottie joined……..In 1946 Dorothy H-E was the first main contact for AA In Great Britain. Dorothy was given the first 12-step contact from New York to an enquirer in Hove, Mrs Chris L-B. Dorothy moved back to the States, so Mrs Chris L-B Became the New York contact in London. Chris was contacted by Canadian Bob and four other enquiries, which led to the following.
The first recorded meeting in Great Britain was hosted by visiting American Grace O. Grace met with ‘Canadian Bob to arrange a meeting, and Grace offered her room at the Dorchester Hotel room 202, on March 31st 1947. Part of the group that evening was Canadian Bob, who had been sober since 1945 in New York along with London A.A’s main contact Mrs Chris L B.
A 12-step announcement in the Financial Times, 1947.
The second meeting was held at The Dominion Theatre on Tottenham Court Road.
Meetings were later regularly held at Canadian Bob’s home in Mortlake Road, Kew.
The New York General Secretary wrote to ‘Canadian’ Bob, “It’s a thrill to know you have a woman member”. Lottie T. had joined the London Group and went on to become secretary when Bob’s work took him overseas.
Lottie was a talented illustrator who would provide drawings with her correspondence.
November 1949 AA Co-Founder Bill W wrote to Lottie – reshape AA to suit GB temperament – ‘you will eventually settle on the essential principles of 12 Steps’
The below letter concerns the creation of A.A in Scotland and how Philip D met Lottie T who was still the general secretary
The meetings moved to Lottie’s home in St John’s Wood after ‘Canadian’ Bob went to Zambia for work. According to Bob, Lottie was a real toiler in the vineyard, a real motherly person with a great sense of humour. Her letters and her works were frequently illustrated with appropriate humorous cartoon-like drawings/printings.
Lottie left London around 1950 to live with her daughter in Tenerife.
Lottie T passed away October 1981 in Tenerife.
East London Archives of Alcoholics Anonymous. 