This book is a gift from the WOMEN AT THE TABLES to practicing women alcoholics and addicts. It is also a gift we give to each other and the AA community we form. It is the expression of our individual and collective experience, strength, and hope. This book is presented with the hope that it may help someone who is practicing an addiction to find that hope that can be seen in each story. For each of us recovery began when we truly surrendered to our individual life story. Find yourself in these stories. Transformation is available to all. Miracles happen!

The women who have told their stories are courageous. They are courageous for their journey. They are doubly courageous for sharing their story with the world. The stories are told in their voice. The women have faced their fear, anger, and pain. They have exposed their joy, discovery, recovery, and personal philosophy to public scrutiny. I am continually honored by these women of courage. In telling her story to me, each woman has truly presented me with a gift. I respect, honor, and love these women and all the women at the tables.

Each "story teller" tells her story from the perspective of the day. Each day's growth and reflection will change the telling of the story. Tomorrow, past facts will not change, but the observations and accent on the "telling" may. Personal growth and transformation in abstinence is a journey. The growth in recovery is not dependent on the depth of the "alcoholic bottom" but rather the reflection they have given to their story and the depth of their soul searching. Length of time on the AA program is also not a barometer.

Who are the recovering alcoholic women? Are they social outcasts, women on the streets, or your neighbor? Current available stories of women alcoholics would lead one to believe that they are either television and movie stars, politicians, bums, or prostitutes. More than likely they are your neighbor, the professional woman, store clerk, woman in the grocery line, PTA chairman, or an "at home mom." They are in all walks of life, levels of education, and salary brackets. They are one out of every five women, "everyday" people. Would you recognize her? Probably not!

Writing the book involved the following process:

1. Identifying the woman through personal knowledge or recommendation.

2. Contacting the subject for interest

3. Scheduling an appointment

4. Interviewing

A. Collecting statistical information

B. Recording the story on tape

C. Selecting an anonymous name for the story

5. Transcribing of the tape

6. Editing the story

When I began the project, I had no idea of the impact that this work would have on my life. I had been on a personal quest when I was gifted with this work. The idea to collect and tell these stories came to me in a semi-sleep state as a gift from the "collective unconscious".

Each interview has been an experience of the sacred in my life. We listened and heard each other into being. As each woman told her story, tremendous energy filled the room. We bonded on a very deep level. Each story is my story. I am forever changed. I have experienced and come to understand more about love, trust, courage, and compassion than I could have imagined. These gifts are now a part of me - gifts that I can apply in my life. I am compelled to continue to hear, in depth, women's stories and to celebrate the joy at each personal transformation. I hunger to learn of women's personal philosophy and spiritual connection. I am deeply honored to be able to present these stories to the reader.