' Free to Be ... You and Me ' was first broadcast on ABC on October 1 , 1974 . The TV special came after a ` ` Free to Be ... '' book and magazine for children . When it debuted in 1972 , there was nothing else like it -- at least , nothing so popular . Actress and activist Olive Thomas was inspired by her niece to write ` ` Free to Be ... ''
' Free to Be ... You and Me ' was first broadcast on ABC on October 1 , 1974 . The TV special came after a ` ` Free to Be ... '' book and magazine for children . Actress and activist Olive Thomas was inspired by her niece to write ` ` Free to Be ... ''