About Marie Skłodowska-Curie on the occasion of her 150th anniversary of the birth

Abstract

The article regards the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Marie Sklodowska-Curie − a discoverer of polonium and radium, twice decorated with a Noble Prize, the first woman professor of the Sorbonne, who in the ranking organized by the periodical New Scientist was considered the most outstanding and inspiring scientist of all time.

In her youth, many universities (among them also Polish) were closed to women, so Marie Skłodowska studied at the Sorbonne in Paris. When, after her studies, she was not accepted as an assistant at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków (Poland), Marie Skłodowska came back to Paris, married Pierre Curie and started her scientific work in his humble lab.

The scientific achievements of Maria Skłodowska-Curie were a breakthrough in the history of exact sciences and the basis for the application of new methods in oncological therapies. For modern scientists she is a timeless source of inspiration and is admired not only for her scientific achievements but also for her courage in breaking barriers and helping to redefine the role of women in society and science.

On November 7, 2017, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s birth. In Poland and abroad many events were organized during the whole year of 2017 to commemorate her life and achievements. Some of them, as well as some aspects of Skłodowska-Curie’s life and work are described in this paper.