As Women’s History Month marks the honoring of women’s contributions and achievements, we must recognize the women who have had a great impact on gender equality in America, and a significant example of that is Marie Curie. Although Marie Curie was not American, she heavily influenced American scientists and culture with her remarkable discoveries and contributions to the science world. Women in STEM now look up to Curie as she was an exemplary role model and continues to be one by changing the course of science and paving the way for future generations. Marie Curie, born in Poland, was a well-known physicist and is most famous for her astonishing work on radioactivity. Because of her extraordinary mind that now amaze the world, her contributions are one of the leading aspects toward finding treatments for cancer as well as other diseases. By discovering the use of radiation and understanding its foundation and effects, Curie fundamentally changed the world’s understanding of radioactivity, carving the way for other female scientists to influence science in their distinctive way.
Marie Curie and her husband, Pierre Curie, studied the radioactivity, a term she coined, of uranium. Their research led them to discover two unknown elements: radium and polonium, which are both radioactive. The journey and effort that was focused upon these studies are remarkable in themselves. Despite the long process, Curie demonstrates that the final results were worth it in her confounded discoveries she made with her husband. Although Marie’s work is exemplary and remarkable because of her skill and talent, it is also important to note the struggles she had to endure as a female scientist. Currently, she is admired and respected by a multitude of scientists. However, her discoveries were initially doubted and the journey to be recognized was arduous. Due to this, we must appreciate and acknowledge the efforts of Curie as the first woman to receive a Nobel prize, an award Curie earned and truly deserved for her tremendous work.
Because of Curie’s influential contributions to the scientific community, she has become a beacon not only of skill and dedication but also of gender equality as she serves as a role model for women all around the globe. Her unwavering commitment to her profession is reflected in her discoveries and the wearying journey to accomplish them. She worked at a time when it was mostly unheard of for scientists to be female but she proved those who doubted her wrong through her effort which will be remembered throughout history. Go Knights!
To find out more about Marie Curie, visit https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marie-Curie
