During the early 1980's, NHK launched a series that has "circled the globe," dubbed into many languages across Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. I recall seeing this on KIKU TV at the time, but didn't record it due to the large number of T-120 tapes it would eat up. Nevertheless, this tale of "child laborer Oshin" became a must-see favorite, in spite of it's downbeat subject and the numerous ways that "Superior People" abused her. By the way, Shin starts recalling her life as a maid from episode #4.
Wikipedia has this to say about the Meiji to Showa era survivor.
The "Oshin" Theme