Exclusion
Women who worked in science and made major discoveries were often overlooked in favor of men, especially if they were working with their husbands. An example of this is when Marie Curie won a Nobel prize in physics along with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel. Her role was downplayed in the discoveries, and she was suggested to be his partner instead of a main researcher (Lassieur 65). People did not believe that a woman was capable of taking part in winning a Nobel Prize in physics. The Nobel Committee even considered not including her in the prize at all. Fortunately, she was included. However, she was not allowed to make a Nobel lecture alongside Pierre. In response to that, Pierre mentioned her and she work she did many times throughout his speech.
"Had any of the women named belonged to the male sex, there never would have been any question of their fitness to become members of the society in question." (Mozans 394) |
"Considering her achievements, she had no competitor, and was... the one person in France who was the most deserving of this most coveted honor... But no. She was a woman; and for that reason alone she was excluded from an institution the sole subject of whose establishment was the reward of merit and advancement of learning." (Mozans 229-230) |
Another example of scientists being excluded for their gender is when Marie Curie applied for the French Academy of Sciences. The French Academy of sciences is a prestigious group of scientists that is very selective about its members. She had applied to become a member along with her husband, and only Pierre was accepted. She was rejected because she was a woman. Had they both been men, there would have been no question about her being accepted. It did not matter that she was a Nobel Prize winner and one of the most qualified people in the world to join. Her gender held her back group being a part of the Academy.
"The right wing, xenophobic press charged that Marie was not French, that she was Jewish (which was untrue) and claimed that she never did anything alone but was only her husband's modest collaborator. On January 23, 1911, Marie lost by one vote." (Community Alliance)
The French Academy was made up entirely of men and was prejudiced against women. They also reinforces the idea that woman couldn't be in science without a man and that she was her husband's assistant.
"...what would happen to Pierre's chair at Sorbonne? It seemed so natural to offer the chair to Marie... A huge debate ensued, which Curie's supporters pitted against detractors who stubbornly refused to accept a woman in this position, even one of Curie's caliber." (Lassieur 75)
Before his death, Pierre Curie held a position as a professor at La Sorbonne and also held a chair there. After he died, they needed to pick someone to take his place. It would seem obvious that it would go to Marie, but there had never been a female professor or chair holder at Sorbonne before. Many people did not want her to take this position even though she was the most qualified person to take his place. Eventually, she was able to take his teaching job, but she never got his chair. Sexism almost cost her to not be able to have his teaching job. If she had not gotten his teaching job than she would have lost their lab as well. Had she lost their lab, she may have never had a place to make the discovery that led her to win a second Nobel Prize.
Sources for this tab:
-Lassieur 65, 75
-Mozans 229-230, 394
-Community Alliance
-AP Images
-Lassieur 65, 75
-Mozans 229-230, 394
-Community Alliance
-AP Images