Norma Rae, played by Sally Field, is a young woman working at the O.P. Henley textile mill in a small town in Alabama. She is single, with two children, and lives with her parents and grandparents in a small house. Her mother died of a heart attack when Norma was a child. Her father is an alcoholic and her grandparents are former textile workers who are now retired.
Norma's life is harsh and difficult, with long hours, low pay, and no job security. The working conditions are unsafe and unhealthy, with dust and lint filling the air and chemicals and dye getting into the workers' eyes and lungs. The noise of the machines is deafening and the heat is unbearable. The workers are not allowed to talk to each other during working hours and are treated with disrespect and abuse by the management.
One day, a young union organizer named Reuben Warshowsky, played by Ron Leibman, comes to the mill to try to organize the workers. He is passionate, energetic, and idealistic, and he inspires Norma to join the union effort. She becomes a leader among the workers, trying to convince them to sign union cards and stand up to the bosses.
The battle is long and difficult, with the management using every dirty trick in the book to try to intimidate and divide the workers. They threaten to fire anyone who supports the union, and they harass and spy on the organizers. Norma's family and friends are also against her, fearing that she is putting herself and her children in danger.
But Norma's determination and courage never falter. She stands up to the bosses, organizes rallies and protests, and speaks out fearlessly and eloquently about the need for union rights and dignity for the workers. She becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for the workers and for the community as a whole.
In the end, Norma Rae succeeds in organizing the workers and making history in the textile industry. The union is recognized, and the workers win better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Norma becomes a hero and a legend, but she also pays a price for her commitment and sacrifice. She is fired from the mill, ostracized by many of her former co-workers, and forced to leave her hometown. But she knows that she has made a difference and that her struggle has been worth it.