This true saga chronicles the remarkable journey of a resilient young girl living in a small town in Illinois in the 1930's. As she grew up, she began to find out about many family secrets and scandals. Cheated out of her inheritance, Dorothea had to struggle to find her way out of the treachery through an extensive education in laboratory science. Excelling in a field where few women held leadership positions, Dorothea found her true calling, searching for justice both in administration and in labor relations. Readers will be inspired to follow her good example in overcoming adversity through education and developing a worthwhile life.