In this series of articles, I introduce you to amazing women who have inspired millions of people who are not known for being mothers. Motherhood was just a part of their life while at the same time they stayed true and close to themselves.
Today I want to introduce them to you as mothers.
Marie Curie was a brilliant scientist and a two-time Nobel Prize winner. She was actually the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize. But she was also a mother. Although she lived in a time when it was considered unusual for women to combine career and family, she managed to successfully master both.
Marie Curie was born Maria Sklodowska on November 7, 1867 in Warsaw and spent her youth in Poland. She studied mathematics and physics in Paris and later married the scientist Pierre Curie. Together they had two daughters, Irène and Ève. Despite her intense work as a researcher and teacher at the University of Paris, Marie always found time for her family. She supported her daughters in their interests and abilities and was a caring mother. Irène later also became a successful scientist and Nobel Prize winner and Ève became a writer.
Marie Curie is known for her research into radioactivity and her discoveries of polonium and radium. For this she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 together with her husband Pierre. In 1911 she also received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Marie Curie was a pioneer in science and inspired many other women to pursue careers in the field.
Unfortunately, her work also had a negative impact on her health. Marie suffered from the effects of the radiation she was exposed to during her work. Despite this, she continued to work until her death in 1934, leaving an unforgettable legacy as a scientist and mother.
Overall, Marie Curie was a very impressive woman who achieved both career and family. She proved that it is possible to combine the two and is a role model for women who want a similar balance. Her legacy continues to inspire many young women to pursue careers in science and technology.