et in the early 1980’s, Steel Magnolias is both a comedy and a drama as it recounts the real life story of a woman (based on Harling’s sister) who is a Type 1 diabetic and risks everything to give birth to her own child. The action takes place in Chinquapin, Louisiana at Truvy’s beauty salon where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. The “regulars” share the message that women have an inner strength that is evident during good times as well as bad times.