Directed by Martin Ritt and based on the true story of Crystal Lee Sutton. Like a lot of her family before her, Norma Rae (played by Sally Field, who won an Oscar for her performance) works at the local textile mill, where the hours are long, the pay lousy, and the working conditions atrocious. But after hearing a rousing speech by labor activist Reuben, Norma is inspired to rally her fellow workers behind the cause of unionism. Her decision irks her family, especially her fiancé, Sonny, and provokes open contempt from her employers.