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Henrietta Buckler Seiberling
Henrietta Buckler Seiberling
Born	March 18, 1888; Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, US
Died	December 5, 1979 (aged 91); New York City, US
Alma mater	Vassar College

Henrietta McBrayer Buckler Seiberling (March 18, 1888 – December 5, 1979) was a member of a Christian fellowship group named the Oxford Group. Seiberling is well-known for connecting the two men who would found Alcoholics Anonymous.

Early life

Born in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky to Judge Julius A. and Mary Maddox Buckler, Seiberling spent her childhood in El Paso and San Antonio, Texas. A gifted pianist, she attend Vassar College where she earned an A.B. degree with a major in music and a minor in psychology.^[1] She met John Fredrick "Fred" Seiberling, a lieutenant in the Ohio National Guard, while he was deployed to El Paso. The couple married in 1917 in Akron, Ohio, and had three children.^[2]^[3]

Career

Though Seiberling herself was not an alcoholic, she believed as a Christian that it was her responsibility to solve social problems. Seiberling began the “alcoholic squad" of the Oxford Group Movement. In their first case, Dr. Bob Smith admitted that he was a secret drinker, marking the first time the Akron Oxford Group prayed together to help someone through alcoholism.^[4] Although the majority of the Seiberling family were members at a Lutheran church near their house, she was not. Seiberling was more of a "student of the bible," rather than a "church-goer."^[5]

As Henrietta and Fredrick Seiberling's marriage was crumbling, Henrietta became involved with The Oxford Group. Her daughter Dorothy said, "It gave her a new focus, and helped her see that there was more to life than marital problems."^[6] Henrietta grew closer to Bob and Anne Smith, and would call Anne everyday to talk about the comfort they both received through the Oxford Group.^[6]

In addition to Seiberling's efforts to help sober up Dr. Bob Smith in her Oxford Group,^[7] Seiberling became famous in AA history for introducing Bill W. to Dr. Bob.^[8] After Bill W. worked with Dr. Bob for a while, Dr. Bob had his last drink on June 10, 1935, a date which became AA's founding date.

Henrietta Seiberling and her husband were devoted supporters of Alcoholics Anonymous, opening their home to its members and also leading meetings of the Oxford Group for those who were interested.^[9]

Personal life

Her son, John F. Seiberling, was a Representative in the United States Congress from Ohio and a member of the Democratic party. Seiberling also had 2 daughters, Mary S. Huhn and Dorothy Seiberling Steinberg, who was a deputy editor for the New York Times Magazine.^[10]

Death and legacy

Seiberling died in New York City on December 5, 1979. On her gravestone is an inscription familiar to both the Oxford Group people and to the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous: "Let Go and Let God."^[11]

References

^ "A Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous". The Washington Post. 8 December 1979. ProQuest 147036426.
^ "American National Biography Online". www.anb.org. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
^ "BRIDE OF LIEUT. SEIBERLING.: Miss Henrietta N. Buckler of New York Weds in Akron, Ohio". The New York Times. 12 October 1917. ProQuest 99858807.
^ "Henrietta Buckler Seiberling, 1888-1979 | Akron Women's History". blogs.uakron.edu. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
^ Nelson, Daniel (2009). A Passion for the Land. Kent, Ohio, USA: The Kent State University Press. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-60635-036-2.
^ ^a ^b Robertson, Nan (1988). Getting Better. New York, NY: William Morrow and Company. pp. 51–52.
^ See John Seiberling's record of his mother, Henrietta's recollections about her role, posted on AA in the Desert's website. https://aainthedesert.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ORIGINS-OF-AA-HENRIETTA-SEIBERLING-TRANSCRIPT.pdf
^ In AA's Big Book, in Dr. Bob's Nightmare the lady who calls Dr. Bob's wife and wants Dr. Bob to meet a friend (Bill W.) is Seiberling.
^ B, Dick (2006-06-30). When Early AAs Were Cured and Why. Good Book Publishing Company. ISBN 9781885803948.
^ "Henrietta Seiberling, 91, One of Founders of A.A.". The New York Times. December 6, 1979. ProQuest 123897655.
^ B, Dick (2011-12-01). The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous. First Edition Design Pub. ISBN 9781937520397.