Maria Curie was a pioneering scientist known for her groundbreaking work in radioactivity. Born in Poland in 1867, she became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields: Physics and Chemistry. Her research led to the discovery of the elements polonium and radium. Curie's work laid the foundation for advancements in medical treatments and nuclear physics. She founded the Curie Institutes in Paris and Warsaw, which remain major centers for medical research today. Her dedication to science and her contributions have made her a lasting symbol of female empowerment in the scientific community.