Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, Class of 1960

A Woman of Independent Means

This one-woman show is adapted by Hailey from her book, which became a bestselling sensation when it was first published in 1978 and the inspiration for the TV miniseries starring Sally Field. At the turn of the century, a time when women had few choices, Bess Steed Garner inherits a legacy, not only of wealth, but also of determination, making her truly a woman of independent means. In a series of letters from the early 1900s through the 1960s, we accompany Bess as she courageously endures the sacrifices love sometimes requires of the heart, the flaws and rewards of marriage, the often-tested bond between mother and child, and the will to defy a society that demands conformity.

This exciting collaboration with Mill Mountain Theatre features professional actress Stephanie Wahl under the direction of MMT's new artistic director, Scott Treadway.


November 15 - 18, 2011, 7:30 pm
Hollins Theatre

Admission: $10 general, free to current Hollins students, faculty, and staff

Special event: A Conversation with Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, followed by a reception and book signing in the Hollins Room of the Wyndham Robertson Library at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, before the performance. Reserve your ticket for this free event by calling (540) 362-6313. Limited tickets available.