A Will of Their Own

A Will of Their Own is a 1998 American television miniseries directed by Karen Arthur. It was adapted from the novel Daughters of the New World by Susan Shreve.^[7] The film follows six generations of females within one family, and their struggle for power and independence in America.^[5][3] The film debuted on October 18, 1998, on the NBC network to mixed critical reviews.^{[6][8][3][1][2]} It was released to DVD late 2003.^{[citation needed]}

A Will of Their Own
Based on	Daughters of the New World by Susan Shreve
Written by	Susan Nanus Lynn Roth[1]
Directed by	Karen Arthur[2]
Starring	Lea Thompson Ellen Burstyn Faye Dunaway Thomas Gibson
Theme music composer	David Michael Frank[3]
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of episodes	2
Production
Producers	Elliot Friedgen Susan Nanus[4]
Cinematography	Tom Neuwirth[5]
Editor	Tina Hirsch[4]
Running time	225 minutes
Production companies	The Wolper Organization Lakeside Productions Warner Bros. Television
Original release
Network	NBC[6]
Release	October 18 (1998-10-18)[6] – October 19, 1998 (1998-10-19)[6]

Plot

The film begins in 1894 and ends in 1985.^[1]

Annie Jermaine (Reiko Aylesworth) immigrates from Europe to America where she becomes a housemaid for a wealthy doctor.^[7] She breaks class restrictions when she marries the doctor's son and begins training as a nurse. However, she is unable to utilize her knowledge due to the popular belief that women were not capable of practicing medicine.

Amanda Steward (Lea Thompson) is a young woman who aspires to become a photographer but is turned down because she is a woman. She goes through life in trying to help women and make them stronger.

Sarah (Paris Jefferson) faces difficulties being the wife of a powerful U.S. senator.

Susan (Charlotte Ross) is a hippie who becomes a doctor and later opens up a health clinic for battered women.^[4]

Jessie (Sônia Braga) is a farm worker who walked the fields of the San Joaquin Valley for nearly half a century. She is the first female organizer for the United Farm Workers. Seeing those around her struggle and sometimes die because of poor living and working conditions, she wanted to help and joined César Chávez to make a change.

Cast

• Lea Thompson.....Amanda Steward^[9]
• Ellen Burstyn.....Veronica Steward^[8]
• Faye Dunaway.....Margaret Sanger^[8]
• Thomas Gibson.....James MacClaren^[9]
• Sônia Braga..... Jessie Lopez De La Cruz^[1]
• Reiko Aylesworth.....Annie Jermaine^[6]
• Tovah Feldshuh.....Mrs. Rubenstein^[4]
• Paris Jefferson.....Sarah^[5]
• Charlotte Ross.....Susan^[7]
• Eric McCormack.....Pierce Peterson^[3]
• Diana Scarwid.....Crystal Eastman^[7]
• John Shea.....Dr. Jonathan Abbott^[8]

Awards and nominations

Motion Picture Sound Editors

• Nominated, "Best Sound Editing - Television Mini-Series - Dialogue & ADR unknown"^[10]
• Nominated, "Best Sound Editing - Television Mini-Series - Music unknown"^[10]