Between the Matilda Effect and Scientific Success. Mileva Miarić versus Maria Sklodowska-Curie

Abstract

The author considers the problem of conditions accompanying women’s careers in science. It focuses on the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, but most of the internal and external factors influencing the position of scientists remain relevant to this day. On the example of heroines from Central and Eastern Europe; Maria Skłodowska-Curie and Mileva Marić-Einstein were shown what supported and ultimately determined the huge success of the first one and influenced the failure of the second one. The indicated reasons, apart from intellectual potential, abilities, self-denial and great motivation, included: support from parents, partnership in marriage, shared passions and scientific work with the husband, kindness of parents-in-law, etc. The author based her considerations on memoir materials as well as Polish and English-language monographs and scientific articles on the history of science that have recently been published. She carefully followed the discussions surrounding Mileva Marić's participation in Albert Einstein's research and discoveries