Madame Curie

Madame Curie was a great scientist who made many great discoveries. Her story is one of inspiration and determination. She was born Maria Sklodowska on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, Poland. Poland was in turmoil and her family struggled to make ends meet. Maria’s parents were teachers, and they taught their children the importance of school. Maria went on to graduate with honors from high school at 16. She lost her mother and her oldest sister to disease, and Maria struggled with a nervous illness. She went to the countryside to live with cousins.

Maria returned to Warsaw where she and her sister attended a “floating university.” The classes were held at night, and they had to avoid being caught by the police. They eventually left for Paris where she received a degree in physics and math. It took many years as she had to put her sister through school and then she put herself through school.

Marie eventually married Pierre Curie. Madame Curie, along with her husband, discovered two radioactive elements. This work laid the foundation for future discoveries in nuclear physics and chemistry. She and her husband received the Nobel Prize for Physics. Madame Curie would go on to receive another Nobel Prize for Chemistry eight years later. Madame Curie’s work was credited with making great strides in science.