Through the help of a cousin, Maria found instruction in chemistry together with some practical laboratory experience. With time available in her isolated working location, Maria continued to study a variety of topics, eventually settling on physics and mathematics as her favorites. During the next five years Maria worked as a private teacher and then as a governess while contributing to Bronya's benefit. It became obvious that further education would only be available elsewhere in Europe and the sisters agreed that Maria would find work and income to support Bronya, who moved to Paris to study medicine. Instead, Maria and her older sister, Bronya, joined a group of students in clandestine studies in which each student shared their specialty with the others. Maria completed her high school studies in the state system by the age of 15, but then experienced a setback because the University of Warsaw did not admit women. The Polish nationalist sympathies of Maria's parents resulted in employment difficulties for her father, a teacher, causing the family of seven financial troubles. Maria Sklodowska was born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, Poland, which was then part of the Russian Empire. Who was Marie Curie? How did she come to be a scientist? What important work led to the discovery of radium? In Search of Education Certainly, she stands tallest as a role model for generations of young women who followed in her footsteps, pursuing careers in scientific research. She stands among the greatest scientists of all time, male or female.

As a woman born in 1867 Poland, Marie Sklodowska Curie had a steep hill to climb in her pursuit of her passion for science.

Pure radium marie curie