I Am Woman 2020

In 1966, the talented Helen Reddy arrives in New York City in pursuit of a music career, having won a contest back in her native Australia. However, upon her arrival, she faces an unfortunate turn of events when the record label backs out of their agreement, leaving her in a vulnerable position with her three-year-old daughter, Traci. Isolated and in desperate need of financial stability, Reddy begins performing at various small nightclubs. During this challenging time, she reconnects with an old friend, the esteemed rock journalist Lilian Roxon.

At one of Roxon’s parties, she meets Jeff Wald, a talent agent who becomes her romantic partner. The pair marries and decides to move to Los Angeles, where Wald believes there will be better opportunities for them both. However, the initial phase of their journey proves tough, as Wald struggles to promote Reddy amidst an industry that favors male artists. Despite this, persistent phone calls to Capitol Records eventually lead to Reddy getting a chance to record a single. With the support of family and friends, she secures airplay on the radio, and her cover of “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” becomes her first significant success.

As Reddy’s popularity rises, she and Wald buy a larger home and embrace the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle, although this begins to take a toll on their relationship when Wald develops a cocaine addiction. Around this time, Reddy becomes captivated by the growing feminist movement. This inspiration drives her to pen the empowering anthem “I Am Woman.” Despite industry executives labeling it as “angry” and “man-hating,” Wald encourages her to feature the song in her performances. Ultimately, it transforms into her most celebrated hit and a quintessential feminist anthem of the era.

Through her career, Reddy achieves great success with eight number one adult contemporary singles in the US, a television show, and a residency in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, as the pressures of her profession weigh on her marriage, Reddy seeks comfort from Roxon again, only to discover her friend suffers from poor health. Sadly, when Roxon passes away due to asthma, Reddy feels compelled to cancel her forthcoming concerts, but Wald pressures her to fulfill her obligations.

Following a successful performance, Reddy finds Wald backstage in a state of distress, under the influence of cocaine and in a confrontation with music executives. The shocking scene and Reddy’s exhaustion lead to a collapse that lands her in an emergency room, where she learns that the Equal Rights Amendment, a pivotal aspect of the feminist movement, has been defeated. Returning home, she confronts the reality of her financial situation with Wald, discovering that they are heavily in debt, a burden Wald unjustly places on their accountant.

Ultimately, the couple divorces, sells their home, and Reddy decides to step away from the spotlight, retiring from the music industry in the early 1980s. Fast forward to 1989, her daughter Traci encourages her to perform at a feminist rally in Washington, D.C. Though hesitant at first, Reddy ultimately takes the stage and delivers a powerful rendition of “I Am Woman,” uniting thousands of fellow advocates in a sing-along that marks a poignant moment of solidarity and empowerment.