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Decade by Decade

Explore some of the most significant achievements made by women in the past century

  • By Candice Lo
  • Smithsonian.com, March 01, 2008, Subscribe
 
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    Women's History

    20th Century

    Photo Gallery

    <strong>1903: Marie Curie becomes the first woman to receive Nobel Prize</strong><br><br>
  The chemist and physicist is most famous for her pioneering work in the field of radioactivity.<br><br>
She discovered the chemical element polonium in 1898, which she named after her native country Poland. Together with her husband Pierre, the duo announced the existence of another element—radium. In 1903, they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work.<br><br>
Curie received her second Nobel Prize in 1911, making her the only person to win in two different science fields (physics and chemistry). Her work was crucial in the development of x-rays in surgery.

    Women’s History Timeline

    Decade by Decade



    More from Smithsonian.com
    • Equal Say

    In honor of women’s history month, we have chosen one significant event from each decade over the past century. Each event recognizes the achievements of women in all facets of life who moved history forward. Click on the large photo to the right, or click on this link: Begin slideshow >


    In honor of women’s history month, we have chosen one significant event from each decade over the past century. Each event recognizes the achievements of women in all facets of life who moved history forward. Click on the large photo to the right, or click on this link: Begin slideshow >

        Subscribe now for more of Smithsonian's coverage on history, science and nature.


    Related topics: Women's History 20th Century


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    Comments (14)

    i think it was interesting

    Posted by DAVE on March 17,2011 | 09:29 AM

    verey nice this interests me alot!

    Posted by brandon on March 16,2011 | 10:06 AM

    it is the best

    Posted by seth on March 9,2011 | 01:52 PM

    thank you for everything

    Posted by Daniel on March 29,2010 | 05:32 PM

    its good to now that nice!!!!

    Posted by by tanya cortez on March 22,2010 | 10:53 AM

    i think that it is really cool to learn about

    Posted by daidera991 on April 23,2009 | 11:35 AM

    very intresting to learn!

    Posted by Andrea Addicott on April 22,2009 | 06:34 PM

    yep me too!!!!

    Posted by kierra haynes on April 13,2009 | 04:31 PM

    good web site

    Posted by kierra haynes on April 6,2009 | 11:09 AM

    nice to learn bout it!

    Posted by dellonna and brienne on March 18,2009 | 12:00 PM

    I luved it!!

    Posted by Milly McFandandan on March 12,2009 | 02:47 PM

    i agree

    Posted by bobby on March 12,2009 | 10:00 AM

    I would add Eleanore Roosevelt (1844-1962) to our slide show. She led women's organizations, youth movements, and fought for consumer welfare, civil rights, and improved housing. During World War Two, she traveled with her husband and met many world leaders, then in 1945 after her husbands death she worked as a UN delegate, chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, newspaper columnist, Democratic Party activist, and diplomat. By the end of her life, Eleanore Roosevelt was recognized throughout the world for her fortitude and commitment to the ideals of liberty and human rights. I have just finished reading her autobiography, and am amazed at how courageous, and wise she was. Thank you P. Bonilla

    Posted by polly bonilla on March 13,2008 | 11:35 AM

    Very interesting.

    Posted by Don Dackins on March 11,2008 | 11:35 PM

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