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A very brilliant yet humble woman, Marie had her share of troubles throughout life. Born without much money in a country where women were not to be educated, she took it upon herself to excell financially and in her studies. Then as her research flourished, her and her husband's health declined. They unfortunately were unaware of the negative effects of radiation. Pierre got really ill to the point where his legs shook so that he couldn't stand. Some nights he would be in so much pain that he could not sleep. Both Marie and Pierre struggled with constant fatigue. On April 19, 1906, Pierre Curie was run over by a horse-drawn wagon and he was killed. Marie was left alone with her two daughters ages nine and two. Marie was close to her children and was able to make sure they recieved a good education. Things seemed to be looking up until the year 1911. Marie was nominated for election to the Academy of sciences. She accepted the nonmination and faced much ridicule. French society was prejudice against women along with having an anti-science attitude. Marie was rejected by the Academy. The rejection was followed by another smear campaign. Marie was spending a lot of time with an unhappily married man, Paul Langeuin. The papers depicted Marie as the reason for Paul leaving his wife. Her name was slandered eventhough there never was proof of the accusations made towards her.
Even with the unnecessary turmoil, Marie Curie was able to rise above. When the first World War broke out, Marie took her kids to safety and then remained and helped equip more that 20 vans that acted as mobile field hospitals, and about 200 fixed installations with x-ray apparatus.She trained young women in x-ray technology, and even drove one of the vans herself. After the Peace Treaty in 1918, Marie opened her own Radiation Institute. As Marie's health continued to deteriorate, she made two trips to the USA where she was greatly adored. Then she spent her final years watching her daughters excell in life. Marie Sklodowska Curie died of leukemia from all her exposure to radiation on July 4, 1934. |
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