In her recent visit to America, Madame Curie conferred a special honor
upon Vassar College by delivering in the chapel on the evening of May
fourteenth the only extended address which she made in this country. In
a simple, straightforward way she told the story of her great
achievement. One realized how, closely environed by all the great
realities of human experience, in the face of tremendous difficulties
and with limited resources, she had pursued undaunted her search for
truth.
The discovery of radium gave Madame Curie immediate distinction among
scientists on account of the extremely significant contribution she
thereby made to the great ultimate problem of physical science, the
constitution of matter. The striking properties possessed by radium gave
to its discovery a world-wide interest, all the more intense because of
the hope which was inspired by the possible healing qualities of the
radiations from this new element.
That hope is being realized in large measure. It is therefore fitting
that this address should have been given by Madame Curie at Vassar and
that it should now be circulated among the members of the college under
the foundation in memory of Ellen S. Richards, who devoted her life to
the public health.
Edna Carter
Chairman of the Department of Physics.