Marie Curie’s 66-year lifespan made her a pioneering academic woman. Marie Curie’s research into radioactivity, which ironically led to her demise, made her the only woman in history to receive two Noble Prizes for different branches of sciences. She changed the world today by advancing medical research.
Maria Sklodowska grew up in an educated family in Poland. Marie was encouraged to study science by her parents. Marie was a star student from an early age. Marie was unable to attend the University of Warsaw despite achieving a gold-medal and finishing first in her class at secondary school. Marie enrolled into a secret, underground floating school.
After settling some family issues, Marie decided to continue her education in Paris. She was often pushed into difficulties and discouraged while studying at Sorbonne. She fought through despite all odds. She finally earned her mathematics and physics master’s after 2 years. Her professor hired her in a laboratory later that same year. She met Pierre Curie in the lab, and they soon became a life partner.
Antoine Henri Becquerel’s work on radiation caught Marie’s eye and inspired her to research further into radioactivity. While raising her family, Marie was also a scientist. One of the quotes she gave states “I’ve been frequently asked by women about how to reconcile a career and family life. It hasn’t exactly been an easy road.
Her relentless efforts led her to discover two new radioactive substances and their properties. Polonium is named after Poland, her motherland. Radium was also named for her. In 1902 they made another discovery, radium salt chloride. In the year following, Maire Becquerel was invited to accept the Noble Prize in Physics along with Pierre Becquerel. The first woman ever to receive the Noble Prize was Maire.
Marie suffered tragedy in 1906 after Pierre was caught up in an accident at a busy traffic intersection. She continued to make progress. In the meantime, she was promoted to be the first woman teacher at Sorbonne University. She often told her pupils that nothing in life should be feared but only understood. We must learn to be more fearless by understanding more.
Marie received another Nobel Prize in 1911. This time, it was for Chemistry. She was the only recipient this time around, unlike her first award. In doing so, she was the only person in history to have received two nobles prizes. Later, her discoveries were used to develop cures against certain cancers and to improve the xray machines. She carried an x-ray portable to the front lines of World War 1 in order to aid injured soldiers. Marie’s personal and social achievements as well as her enormous contribution cost Marie her own life. Marie died in the year 1934 from aplasticanemia, a condition caused by radiation.
However, her legacy lives on. Marie Curie has become a science icon, particularly as a female scientist. She demonstrated that women can be highly educated and conduct sophisticated scientific investigations. She made a fantasy about the radioactive elements a reality. Marie was an inspiration to all. There are many statues, movies, books and pictures of Marie Curie all around the world. They represent her legacy. Marie Curie had a passion for science and was a genius. She dedicated her whole life to improving the quality of life of women, medicine, chemistry and other fields.
