Before Women Had Wings is a 1997 American drama television film directed by Lloyd Kramer and written by Connie May Fowler, based on her 1996 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name.

It stars Ellen Barkin, Oprah Winfrey, Tina Majorino, Julia Stiles, Burt Young, and John Savage.

Life is hard for Bird and her teenage sister Phoebe, constantly putting up with their parents' arguments.

Unable to put up with it any longer, Glory Marie tells Billy she's taking the girls and leaving him.

Glory Marie begins to drink heavily, and beats Phoebe with a brush for staying out late with Louis' son L.J.

Glory Marie's estranged son, Hank, comes to visit for Christmas, as he left home because of his parents and there is still some friction between them.