Last Thursday, 101 women gathered at the Blaine House in Augusta to celebrate a collective 267 years and three months of recovery from alcohol and drug dependence. This was the 27th annual Silver Tea for Women in Recovery held at the governor’s mansion. Gov. John Baldacci was on hand to congratulate the women and read his proclamation declaring May 13-19 “Women and Addiction Awareness Week.”

The women who gathered came from many different corners of Maine. Their time in recovery ranged from 16 days to more than two decades. They shared stories of their gratitude both verbally and in writing – gratitude for each day of sobriety, for families and friends who have helped along the way, and for their accomplishments in life. Music also beautifully expressed the story of one women’s personal journey through recovery.

Maryann Ogonowski received the Women in Recovery Leadership Award for her work at The Women’s Project, a program of the Portland-based People’s Regional Opportunity Center. Nominated for the award by a number of other women, she spoke of the reasons for her commitment to such service, and the impact one women can have on another in achieving and maintaining sobriety and overcoming great obstacles along the way.

Kim Johnson, director of the state’s Office of Substance Abuse, congratulated the women and asked for their help in the ongoing battle against the major marketing forces at work today encouraging young women to start drinking.

She spoke of the new sweet alcoholic beverages available and directed toward ever-younger drinkers. She described this battle as a community effort and encouraged women already in recovery to share their stories with others, especially young women, in an attempt to overcome the impact of aggressive and targeted marketing.

The Silver Tea was organized by the Women’s Addiction Services Council. This is a group of programs and associations working in the addiction recovery field, many of which are dedicated to working exclusively with women. The Blaine House graciously provided the refreshments. For many attendees, this was the first time they had visited the governor’s home, which added something extra and memorable to their personal celebration.

Kathleen W. Miller is the director of the Maine Lighthouse Corp. in Bar Harbor.

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