The Courage to Love is a 2000 television history film starring Vanessa L. Williams, who was also the producer. The premiere was held on 24 January 2000 on Lifetime. The film also stars Williams's children: Jillian Hervey, Melanie Hervey, Devin Hervey, and her brother Chris Williams. Filming began in August 1999 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and was scheduled to last two months.
Plot
Henriette Delille, a free woman of color, was born in 1813 into one of New Orleans' most prominent families. Her family assumed she would follow her mother and sister's path and become a mistress for a wealthy white man. However, Henriette had different plans for her life.
Cast
- Vanessa Williams as Mother Henriette Delille
- Gil Bellows as Dr. Gerard Gautier
- Karen Williams as Julie Gadin
- Lisa Bronwyn Moore as Marie Alicot
- David La Haye as Father Rousselon
- Cynda Williams as Cecelia Delille
- Diahann Carroll as Pouponne
- Stacy Keach as Jean Baptiste
- Kevin Jubinville as Frank Morgan
- Chris Williams as Master of Ceremonies