Odessa Carter (Whoopi Goldberg) needs to get to work as a nanny in the home of the affluent Miriam Thompson (Sissy Spacek), but she refuses to take the bus. Odessa is participating in the Montgomery bus boycott, protesting against the inequality between blacks and whites, so Miriam decides to offer Odessa a ride to work every day. Though the community and Miriam's husband (Dwight Schultz) insist she not get involved, the relationship between Miriam and Odessa has already changed for the better.

The Cast
Sissy Spacek as Miriam Thompson
Whoopi Goldberg as Odessa Cotter
Dwight Schultz as Norman Thompson
Ving Rhames as Herbert Cotter
Dylan Baker as Tunker Thompson
Erika Alexander as Selma Cotter
Lexi Randall as Mary Catherine (as Lexi Faith Randall)
Richard Parnell Habersham as Theodore Cotter
Jason Weaver as Franklin Cotter
Crystal Robbins as Sara Thompson
Cherene Snow as Claudia
Chelcie Ross as Martin
Dan Butler as Charlie
Philip Sterling as Winston
Schuyler Fisk as Judy (Girl at Oak Park)
Mary Steenburgen as Narrator