The true story of Elizabeth Kenny (Rosalind Russell), a nurse far out in the Australian bush, who follows her instincts to treat small children inflicted with polio. Working with only her hands, Kenny applies a therapy that allows once hopelessly crippled children to rise to their feet and walk again. Instead of applauding her treatment, however, the medical community ridicules Kenny's unorthodox practice and wields its power to stop her from using it. Undaunted, Kenny forsakes all, even romance, to continue her inspirational fight to save children's lives.