Marie Sklodowska Curie

Science-she was my first love, my eldest child and my most favored friend.

Opportunity lived within her and breathed her possibilities.

She, the mystery, that baffled men of great stature, men who devoted their existance to comprehending her. I too longed to know her substantially.

She, the mystery, that eluded women. Science, a brazen lady, rarely more than a rumor to my sisters, they, so loyal to Victoria.

I cherished her. When I could only touch the hem of her skirt, I knew I adored her-so I implored her-Science, reveal yourself.

In time she reached down to me and offered her pitchblende paw. I embraced it with the hope and enthusiasm of a grateful child.

When I withdrew my hand, I knew that science had complied, for upon my flesh I bore her mark.

Together, Pierre and I tested and studied and acquainted ourselves with her power and her implications.

They celebrated me almost exclusively because I am a woman.

Yet I was not alone. Our research merited and received a tandem celebration, and still it is remembered as a woman's victory.

I choose not to challenge their painful oversight-because I am a woman-I was confident that this would prove to be a victory to all women.

I wanted many to hear my soft name, Marie, to enunciate my title, Madame Curie, and to, at the ve1y same time, think to themselves, and sometimes aloud: A singular scientist.