Conference History
Mission Statement:
"The International Women's Conference is a bridge to a better understanding of the Alcoholics Anonymous philosophy and way of life, because of our special needs in sobriety as women. We, as women members of Alcoholics Anonymous, are survivors. We have found a way to obtain meaning, depth, and responsibility in our lives. This came about out of desire, decision, determination, and spiritual guidance. An elevated sense of belonging that is brought about by the special services and special needs provided by our Women's Conference, is our goal."
Statement of purpose adopted at the 18th Annual Women's Conference in Oklahoma City, 1982.
How We Began:
In 1965, Bernadette O'K. and other AA women in Kansas City held a conference just for women in AA.
This forum aimed to provide:
- Sharing of experiences common to women alcoholics.
- Discussion of problems of particular interest to all women AA members.
- Opportunities to hear AA women speakers from many areas.
Forty-five members attended our first conference in Kansas City. The reception was so enthusiastic that plans were laid to create an annual women's AA Conference. February was chosen as conference month to commemorate Bernadette's AA anniversary, and because it is traditionally the month of love. It also seemed like a welcome break from the winter doldrums.
Kansas City held five more conferences. Other cities then began asking to host one. After Bernadette's death, the International AA Women's Conference traveled around the country.
Past conferences:
1965-69 - Kansas City, MO
1970 - St. Louis, MO
1971 - Wichita, KS
1972 - Oklahoma City, OK
1973 - Little Rock, AR
1974 - Des Moines, IA
1975 - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
1976 - San Antonio, TX
1977 - Chicago, IL
1978 - Cleveland, OH
1979 - Denver, CO
1980 - New York, NY
1981 - Costa Mesa, CA
1982 - Oklahoma City, OK
1983 - Phoenix, AZ
1984 - Atlanta, GA
1985 - Denver, CO
1986 - Philadelphia, PA
1987 - Albuquerque, NM
1988 - Dallas, TX
1989 - Kansas City, MO
1990 - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
1991 - Orlando, FL
1992 - Reno, NV
1993 - Vancouver, BC
1994 - New York, NY
1995 - Omaha, NE
1996 - Salt Lake City, UT
1997 - Chicago, IL
1998 - Cleveland, OH
1999 - San Jose, CA
2000 - Atlanta, GA
2001 - Honolulu, HI
2002 - Denver, CO
2003 - Seattle, WA
2004 - Buffalo, NY
2005 - Las Vegas, NV
2006 - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
2007 - Detroit, MI
2008 - Portland, OR