Alcoholics Anonymous ~ CD                  Best Supporting Actress ~ 1949

M e r c e d e s  M c C A M B R I D G E

(c1916-2004)

Speaking in Little Rock, AK

May 15, 1973

Mercedes is brillant, an excellent speaker that integrates dark humor with a fierce intensity on the subject of Alcoholism. 

She is speaking in front of a group that includes non-alcoholics so she feels compelled to speak about the depths of Alcoholism, the disease, rather than a monologue of her story

she was affected physically right from the beginning of her drinking. . . .

Her family suffered a secret disgrace as she relates the story of her Aunt contracting and dying of Cancer.  What had they done to deserve this injustice to the family? . . . unclean, dirty, shaming & certainly not socially acceptable.  Another generation and a new stain . . . another cross to bear . . . her alcoholism . . . this dark shadow . . . a moral leper.

Alcoholism is an obscene word in this country . . .

She had a splendid education with high honors, a doctorate . . . awards in her profession, a published author, citations from 4 Presidents,  she was solvent in her own right a world traveler . . . and yet she was shamed . . . seen as spineless, a weakling . . . and a pontificating society gives her recognition for picking herself up by her bootstraps, out of the gutter.     The stigma contines today . . . . 

"I would rather be dead drunk then live a life sober that is l/2 lived . . .  

A Spokesperson for the National Counsel on Alcoholism, she travels 1000's of miles to speak and educate .   She felt her legacy and greatest accomplishment was to initiate a class at Georgetown University that teaches and educates students on the disease.

the only disease that if the treament fails, the Alcoholic is blamed . . .

Her litany of statistics on Alcoholism will get your attention;  from prison inmates to Viet Nam Vets, to what causes Divorce.  How the family is affected including the non alcoholic who has a need for control and dominance and how all must be treated.

"the person that I have been looking for my whole life is me"  

You'll hear her talk about the word "Anonymous"  and what she thinks about it.  There's a great story about a Puzzle, and you'll hear how she guages God's presence by the beating pulse in her wrist.

She ends with a plea and emphasis for other AA's to participate in the outside world to educate and help break the stigma that society still holds on tightly to  . . .   so all the brothers and sisters out there that are dying in shame and moral decay can find redemption and salvation.

She defies Convention!!  Best CD Yet!

Contents:  12 Tracks ~ Length: 56 Minutes