I’ve heard it said in Al-Anon that we have to know where we’ve been to make wise decisions about where we’re going. That has certainly proven true in my life. I can look back at my journal entries, inventories, and book studies and see my progress toward the life I have today. I can practice the spiritual principles I have learned as I live in the present and plan for the future.
Commemorating the 70th anniversary of The Forum this year, I’ve had the opportunity to look back at many past issues. Just as I have grown in my program, so The Forum has grown and changed over the last 70 years. Yet, the spiritual principles of Al‑Anon remain timeless. The Forum has consistently featured letters and sharings from members, illustrating how they practice the Al‑Anon program and how it has changed their lives for the better. I have been as impressed by what has not changed in The Forum as by what has.
Here’s some history: In July of 1950, Ruth G., a member in San Francisco, published the first issue of the San Francisco Family Club Chronicle, which she was soon mailing to groups throughout the United States and Canada and as far away as South Africa. In May of 1951, she renamed the 12-page newsletter The Family Forum.
Because “its subscription list was the most extensive list of family groups nationwide,” it was the closest thing to a clearinghouse that the early family groups had. In fact, Lois W. said that without Ruth G., “early Al‑Anon could never have gained the impetus it did” (Many Voices, One Journey, p. 34).
But in February 1953, Ruth wrote to Lois to explain why she could not continue to publish The Family Forum. Not only had it become more work than she could manage alone, but she believed it was “time for a paper published by an individual to fade from the scene.” In that same letter, Ruth gave her permission for Al‑Anon Family Groups to use her title (Many Voices, One Journey, p. 57).
In June of 1954, Margaret D. became the editor of Al-Anon’s newsletter, which officially adopted the name Family Group Forum in September of that year. It later transitioned to Al‑Anon Family Groups Forum. In May 1978, the monthly newsletter became a magazine, and the title was shortened to The Forum. The separate bimonthly Inside Al‑Anon newsletter from the World Service Office was incorporated into The Forum in May of 1996.
Other changes followed, including the transition to full-color pages and the use of vibrant stock photography and contemporary graphics. Additionally, whereas the earliest issues predominantly featured sharings from wives of A.A. members, over time, sharings in The Forum began to come from members in many different relationships with alcoholics, with many different backgrounds, and from locations all over the world.
Reviewing this history reminds me just how foundational The Forum has been, and continues to be, to Al‑Anon’s unity. What a legacy we are entrusted with to help spread the Al‑Anon message by sharing our experience, strength, and hope in the pages of The Forum!
By Carol C., Associate Director—Literature
The Forum, September 2024
“Inside Al-Anon Family Groups” presents news, policy, and commentary from volunteers, staff and readers sharing experience through service. Please feel free to reprint these articles on your service structure website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.