The Courage to Love

The Courage to Love is a 2000 television history film starring Vanessa L. Williams, who was also the producer. The premiere was held 24 January 2000 on Lifetime. The film also stars Vanessa'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