Marty Mann (1904-1980) was a pioneer in the understanding and treatment of alcoholism. She was one of the first women to embrace Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and achieve long-term sobriety through it. She grew up as a wealthy child in Chicago, went to the best private schools, traveled extensively, debuted, and married into a wealthy New Orleans family. In her late 20s she became seriously alcoholic and lost nearly everything, even going as far as to attempt suicide. In 1939 Mann attended her first AA meeting. She loved and appreciated AA from the beginning. In spite of recurring depression throughout her adulthood, Mann devoted her life to spreading information about alcoholism and fighting the stigma, especially for women. She founded the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism, which became the National Council on Alcoholism and is now the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. She traveled extensively, speaking to groups and helping to start AA chapters and branches of the National Council on Alcoholism in the United States and abroad. She was a charismatic public speaker and gave hundreds of lectures. She spoke to and served as consultant to congressional and state legislative committees.
The Sally and David R. Brown collection on Marty Mann contains information about key figures in America's Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) movement. It focuses primarily on Marty Mann, an influential figure in early alcoholism treatment and awareness in the United States and the first woman to successfully complete AA's recovery program. The Marty Mann materials focus on all aspects of her life, from her youth to her trials with and life-long fight against alcoholism. Most of the sources in the collection come from the co-authors of Marty Mann's biography, Reverend Sally Brown and her husband, David R. Brown. Much of the collection is research materials assembled by the Browns to assist in the completion of their biography titled A Biography of Mrs. Marty Mann: The First Lady of Alcoholics Anonymous. The collection includes articles by and about Marty Mann, Sally and David Brown's research notes, materials from collaborators on Mann's biography, information regarding Priscilla Peck who was Mann's partner, interview transcripts, information on organizations dealing with alcoholism, various photographs, a collection of audio tape recordings and other miscellaneous materials devoted to other important figures in the alcoholism movement as well as the early gay rights movement.
The papers are organized into the following 14 series:
All researchers seeking to publish materials from the collections of the John Hay Library are requested to complete a Notice of Intent to Publish, prior to reproducing, quoting, or otherwise publishing any portion or extract from this collection. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
David R. and Sally Brown collection on Marty Mann, Ms. 2009.002, Brown University Library.
This collection has been divided into 14 series based on format and content.
There are no restrictions on access for analog materials, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested. Advance notice is required to view any audiovisual media or born-digital records that may exist in this collection. Audiovisual media and born-digital records in this collection have not been reformatted yet. Researchers may request access to copies by contacting the John Hay Library with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. Access to original physical audiovisual or born-digital media is restricted.
Donated by Sally Brown and David R. Brown, 17 November 2008
See also: National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) Records. (Marty Mann Papers): A2002-42