The setting is early 1900's in rural town were a woman helps those unable to afford medical attention. She takes on the mayor for sewer systems for the poor and blacks. She exposes a doctor for malpractice turning a boy blind. Her husband returns after years but, she does not stay with him. Her daughter(andie macdowell) dates and finally marries a man she believed was already married but,is not. The granddaughter stands by her grandmother until she dies and continues her medical practice.