Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First One Hundred Years

Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years is a poignant 1999 film based on the book of the same name by Sarah and A. Elizabeth Delany with Amy Hill Hearth. It presents the narrative of two African-American sisters and their audacious navigation of life through a century marked by profound societal changes. With Diahann Carroll and Ruby Dee portraying the sisters, this Emmy-nominated film beautifully captures the spirit, resilience, and perspectives of the Delany sisters' remarkable lives.

The film introduces viewers to 101-year-old Sadie (played by Diahann Carroll) and 103-year-old Bessie Delany (portrayed by Ruby Dee). These exceptional centenarian sisters are the daughters of a former slave who became the first African American Episcopal bishop in the United States. Their recollections offer a glimpse into their early years to their latter days, providing an invaluable window into a century of American history seen through their eyes.

The movie begins with a journalist, Amy Hill Hearth (performed by Amy Madigan), visiting the sisters at their home, intrigued by their story as pioneering African-American professional women who have lived through more than a century of American history. Hearth's character approaches with curiosity, respect, and a keen listening ear, seeking to faithfully capture the essence of their journey.

With a narrative that is firmly centered around the Delany sisters themselves, the film skillfully employs flashback sequences to revisit crucial events and moments from their lives. This narrative style takes audiences seamlessly through time, providing an atmospheric and context-rich portrayal of their personal and professional lives.

Sadie Delany, known for her gentle and accommodating nature, was the first black home economics teacher in a New York City high school. In contrast, Bessie Delany, the more assertive and fervent of the two, was the second black woman licensed to practice dentistry in New York State. Despite the stark differences in their personalities, they both pursued their paths with determination, resilience and remarkable grace, challenging conventions while reclaiming spaces that were traditionally denied to women, especially those of African-American lineage.

Taking nothing away from the individuality of the sisters, Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years also brings to life the mutual affection, connection, and unshakeable bond between Sadie and Bessie, who lived together, unmarried, for their entire lives. Their complementary personalities provide both charm and depth to their shared narrative, while the intimate portrayal of their home life, conversations and routines makes for absorbing viewing.

As the film unravels the extraordinary journey of the Delany sisters, it subtly highlights their endurance and resistance against racial prejudice. The sisters' stories are a living testament to the strength and warrior-like spirit of African-Americans who not only survived but thrived despite a tumultuous past marred by deep-seated racial strife.

Director Lynne Littman, known for her sensitive handling of nuanced narratives, does an excellent job of keeping the tone of the movie real, balanced, and insightful, avoiding the trap of an over-dramatized portrayal of the sister's lives.

Carroll and Dee deliver phenomenal performances, embodying the spunk, vitality, and wisdom of the Delany sisters with authenticity. Their characters reverberate with a unique blend of humor, tenacity, and warmth, making the Delany sisters relatable and endearing. These nuanced portrayals earned Dee an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Mini-series or Movie, cementing her status as a legendary actress.

Amy Madigan as the journalist Amy Hill Hearth also stands out, her performance infusing the film with an extra layer of narrative depth, acting as a bridge between the sisters and the audience, allowing their story to unfold naturally and effectively.

In conclusion, Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years is a touching film that pays homage to two extraordinary women who lived history. Its powerful narrative, masterfully crafted by director Lynne Littman, seamlessly merges past and present, fiction and reality, humor, and profundity. It is an earnest portrayal of a journey that traverses personal ambitions, sisterly ties, and greater societal issues, making it an enchanting cinematic experience. The film is a celebration of life itself, filled with inspiration, laughter, and a heartwarming sense of the irrepressible human spirit.