Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem on Holly Near’s song “I Am Willing” and her legacy in the feminism and peace movements.
Directed by four-time Emmy Award-winner Jim Brown (American Masters — The Highwaymen: Friends Til The End, American Masters – Pete Seeger: The Power of Song), the documentary premieres nationwide Friday, March 1 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) in honor of Women’s History Month and will be available to stream the following day via pbs.org/americanmasters and PBS apps.
('I Am Willing' by Holly Near) ♪♪ There is a hurting ♪ ♪♪ In my family ♪ ♪♪ And there is sorrow ♪ ♪♪ In my town ♪ - I was trying to say to myself why is it that we don't have a word for what people like me believe?
I was trying to see if I could write about it in a song, and it kind of came down to I'm open and I'm willing.
♪♪ I am open ♪ ♪♪ And I am willing ♪ ♪♪ Oh to be hopeless ♪ ♪♪ Would seem so strange ♪ ♪♪ It dishonors ♪ ♪♪ Those who go before us ♪ ♪♪ So lift me up ♪ ♪♪ To the light of change ♪ ♪♪ May the children ♪ ♪♪ May they see more clearly ♪ ♪♪ And may the elders ♪ ♪♪ Be more wise ♪ - I think she managed to say what is the truth, which is the peace movement and the women's movement is the same movement.
We share a world view in which human beings are linked rather than ranked.
I hope that we can continue to be in her presence while she performs.
♪♪ And I am willing ♪ - For to be hopeless.
♪♪ For to be hopeless ♪ - Would seem so strange.
♪♪ Would seem so strange. ♪ - She's what every American should be.
She's true blue.
She is what you see.
She cares about people, she has tremendous empathy, great integrity, you know, she wanted to stick to her roots and speak from her heart through song.
♪♪ Give me a mighty oak ♪ ♪♪ To hold my confusion ♪ ♪♪ And give me a desert ♪ ♪♪ To hold my fears ♪ ♪♪ Give me a sunset ♪ ♪♪ To hold my wonder ♪ ♪♪ And give me an ocean ♪ ♪♪ To hold my tears ♪ ♪♪ I am open ♪ ♪♪ And I am willing ♪ ♪♪ For to be hopeless ♪ ♪♪ Would seem so strange ♪ ♪♪ It dishonors ♪ ♪♪ Those who go before us ♪ ♪♪ So lift me up ♪ ♪♪ To the light of change ♪ (audience applauds)
