Sober Women of History

Sober Women of History

Women have played a pivotal role in advancing the recovery movement in America since its inception. Their early efforts made recovery spaces more inclusive and welcoming for women.

These trailblazers championed the need for gender-specific treatment, support groups, and 12-step meetings, leaving a legacy that continues to impact the world today. Some treatment centers are now exclusively designed for women, reflecting their ongoing influence.

Women in Recovery Who Changed the Narrative

Every woman in recovery creates a ripple effect of change. Those who confronted the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery in the early days laid the foundation for ongoing advocacy, innovative recovery programs, and vital support networks.

Betty Ford (1918–2011)

Former First Lady Betty Ford significantly influenced addiction treatment and worked to reduce the stigma surrounding it. After struggling with opioid and alcohol addictions, undergoing an intervention, and seeking treatment, Betty recognized her unique ability to inspire change.

She co-founded the Betty Ford Center, a facility dedicated to helping both men and women achieve recovery. Over time, Betty Ford Centers have expanded nationwide, offering support to countless individuals.

In 2014, the Betty Ford Organization merged with the Hazelden Foundation, a Minnesota treatment model leader emphasizing 12-step recovery. This collaboration amplified Betty Ford’s legacy, leveraging her decision to publicly share her addiction struggles and use her platform to support others in their recovery journey.

Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. (1923–2000)

Sociologist Jean Kirkpatrick founded Women for Sobriety in 1975. During her recovery, she participated in 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings but recognized the need for treatment programs specifically tailored to women. In response, she created Women for Sobriety.

Today, Women for Sobriety groups meet nationwide. Dr. Kirkpatrick’s journey through repeated relapses, extensive research, and unwavering determination led to creation a program that continues to empower and support countless women.

Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)

Renowned American actress Elizabeth Taylor appeared to lead a glamorous, enviable life. However, following spinal surgery and other health challenges, she developed an addiction to prescription painkillers. Taylor also faced struggles with alcohol addiction.

In a groundbreaking move, Elizabeth Taylor publicly acknowledged her admission to the Betty Ford Center, one of the first treatment facilities established by Betty Ford. By doing so, she broke barriers, paving the way for other celebrities to seek help openly. Her transparency also helped normalize addiction treatment for women, proving that even successful, beautiful icons like her could face such challenges.

As a Hollywood legend, Taylor represented the aspirations of countless women. Her courage in admitting her struggles, seeking treatment, and even returning to rehab after a relapse likely inspired many to pursue their journeys toward recovery—a legacy more significant than she might have imagined.

Nora Volkow (1956–Present)

Nora Volkow, the current director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), has transformed our understanding of addiction. Through her groundbreaking research in brain imaging, she demonstrated that addiction is not a moral failing or lack of willpower but a measurable change in brain function.

Her findings played a crucial role in advancing the disease model of addiction, shifting the perspective from punishment to treatment and care for those affected.

Women in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has long served as a resource for Americans dealing with alcohol addiction. Although the program did not explicitly bar women, they were not embraced as readily as men. Women were often viewed as supportive spouses, attending meetings primarily for the benefit of their husbands. Alternatively, women battling addiction were frequently stigmatized and judged harshly.

A few pioneering women in AA took it upon themselves to challenge these perceptions and transform the narrative.

Florence R. (?-1943)

Florence R. was one of the earliest members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). She joined one of the founding groups in New York, contributed the first section written by a woman in the Big Book, and attempted to establish an AA group in Washington.

Although her efforts to start the group were not successful, and she eventually relapsed, Florence played a pivotal role in making AA meetings accessible to women. For her, those early members became like family—a bond that continues to define AA for many.

Florence’s presence alone helped pave the way for greater inclusivity in AA. While her sobriety did not endure, her contributions made meetings a more welcoming and open space for women, leaving a lasting impact on the organization.

Marty Mann (1904–1980)

Marty Mann was a trailblazer in the field of addiction recovery, championing the disease model of addiction long before it was widely accepted. At a time when addiction was misunderstood and stigmatized, especially for women, she worked to reframe it as a condition requiring healing rather than punishment. Marty actively challenged harmful stereotypes about women struggling with addiction—rejecting the notion that they were inherently promiscuous, out of control, or lacking worth. Instead, she emphasized the importance of recovery through acceptance and understanding.

As the founder of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Marty Mann made significant strides in supporting underserved communities. She encouraged women and LGBTQ+ individuals to seek the help they needed. As a gay woman herself, Marty served as a bridge between these two marginalized groups, advocating for equitable access to recovery resources and reshaping the narrative around addiction for future generations.

Dr. Ruth Fox (1896–1989)

In 1959, Dr. Ruth Fox became the inaugural medical director of the National Council on Alcoholism. As one of the first psychoanalysts to treat individuals struggling with alcoholism, she broke new ground in addiction treatment. Dr. Fox also introduced the use of Antabuse, a medication still employed today to combat alcohol addiction.

Additionally, she established the American Medical Society on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies, further cementing her legacy as a pioneer in the field.

Dr. LeClair Bissell (1928–2008)

Dr. LeClair Bissell was a trailblazer in addiction recovery, co-founding the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Like Marty Mann, she played a pivotal role in reshaping public perceptions of addiction, women in recovery, and LGBTQ+ women in particular. A follower of the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Dr. Bissell authored several books on recovery and was a strong advocate for addressing alcoholism among professionals, especially within the medical community.

These pioneering women transformed how society views recovery, creating a safer, more welcoming path for women who felt afraid, ashamed, or hopeless but sought a way out.

Today, those recovery options remain available to both men and women, thanks to the groundwork laid by people like Dr. Bissell and others who championed change.