The monument to Maria Skłodowska-Curie in Warsaw is a tribute to one of Poland’s most illustrious scientists, known internationally as Marie Curie. Born in Warsaw as Maria Skłodowska in 1867, she went on to make groundbreaking discoveries in the field of chemistry and physics, particularly in the study of radioactivity.

The statue of Marie Curie is located in front of the Radium Institute, which was founded in 1932 and played a significant role in the development of oncology in Poland. Curie herself was fundamental in the establishment of this institute, and it stands as a testament to her contributions to science and medicine.

Marie Curie is renowned for being the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the only person to ever win a Nobel in two different scientific fields—Physics in 1903 (shared with her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel) and Chemistry in 1911 for her discovery of the elements polonium (named after Poland) and radium. Her research contributed immensely to the understanding of radioactivity, a term that she coined.

The monument in Warsaw honors her legacy and Polish roots, inspiring future generations to pursue science and learning. As a female scientist who achieved unprecedented success in a male-dominated field during her time, Marie Curie is also seen as a symbol of women’s contributions to science and their potential to change the world through their discoveries.