Marie Sklodowsa Curie, the brilliant physicist and chemist, was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize and the only woman to receive two. She also was the first woman in France to attain a PhD in Physics as well as the first one to teach at the Sorbonne.
Madame Curie’s 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics win was for her radiation research. She won her second Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her discovery of new elements while studying uranium. She named the elements polonium (a nod to her Polish homeland) and radium.
During World War I, she established mobile radiology units to treat the million plus soldiers wounded in the battles. Her incredibly important work in radiation resulted in groundbreaking treatments for cancer.
But perhaps most notable is not only was Madame Curie a brilliant scientist, but she commanded the respect of her peers and was recognized for her own achievements even as she worked side-by-side with her husband. It was customary then for the husband to receive full credit for accomplishments like these.
She continues to be a role model for girls everywhere who aspire to a life committed to science.
