After the passing of her husband, renowned efficiency expert Frank Gilbreth, Dr. Lillian Gilbreth faces the challenging task of raising their eleven lively children with limited financial resources. Rather than dispersing her children among various family members, she chooses to send them to Nantucket, accompanied by their dependable family cook and handyman, Tom Bracken. Meanwhile, she sets out on an ambitious journey to complete her late husband's lecture circuit, demonstrating her resilience and dedication.
The story highlights the everyday struggles and small victories of the Gilbreth family. For instance, Ernestine gets engaged to a confident frat boy, Al Lynch, but her happiness is short-lived when her brothers and sisters, disliking Al, stage antics to make him believe the family is eccentric. This clever ruse results in Al breaking off the engagement, leaving Ernestine briefly heartbroken but ultimately unharmed.
Back home in Montclair, the family's youngest members, such as Anne Gilbreth, encounter new romantic prospects. Anne, the eldest, initially mistakes a charming doctor, Bob Grayson, for a barber but soon realizes his true profession. Their relationship blossoms as Anne navigates her responsibilities to her family, balancing her personal life with her role as the oldest sibling.
A significant subplot involves Sam Harper, owner of Harper Electric, who seeks trained assistants from Dr. Gilbreth's expertise. Despite his chauvinistic attitude and initial disinterest, Harper is eventually convinced to send several of her students to his company. Dr. Gilbreth's training program, housed in her own home, becomes highly successful, showcasing her pioneering methods and leadership in the field of efficiency.
Her achievements garner recognition when she is invited to deliver a speech at the prestigious Engineers’ Club of America in New York City. However, she faces discrimination when the club's members refuse her entry simply because she is a woman, an injustice she refuses to accept. Undeterred, she leaves a copy of her speech, suggesting it be read by a male colleague. On her way home, her frustration leads her to accidentally run into a parked truck, resulting in hospitalization. Her daughter, Anne, finds her under the care of Dr. Grayson, and their bond deepens, leading to an engagement.
As her professional wins grow, Sam Harper decides to boost her public profile by making her the subject of a humorous newsreel—an act that the family finds somewhat embarrassing but ultimately helps promote her groundbreaking work. Her reputation is further solidified when she is appointed as a professor at Purdue University, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Throughout this period, her relationship with Bob Grayson grows stronger, but her dedication to her family creates tension. Grayson becomes frustrated when Anne hesitates to leave her family or share details of their engagement, fearing she might be choosing her family over him. Recognizing her responsibilities, Dr. Gilbreth advises Anne to follow her heart, encouraging her to accept her new life in Detroit with Grayson.
Meanwhile, Sam Harper persistently attempts to connect with Dr. Gilbreth, hinting at his deeper feelings. Despite their frequent interruptions, she gently clarifies that her life is too busy for romance, accepting his affection with kindness. The story concludes with the joyful graduation of her youngest child, symbolizing the culmination of her hard work and dedication to both her family and her pioneering career.
> "The lady who knew everything about efficiency, but learned it was just as important to take time to care."
