Five Admirable Women Who Won the Nobel Prize

By Erika Semprun

In honor of Women’s History Month, Vista Higher Learning is recognizing five amazing women—who also happen to be winners of the Nobel Prize. Since the first Nobel Prize was given out in 1901, only fifty-one women have won this notable award in recognition of their efforts and accomplishments. Are you familiar with the winners? If not, keep reading to find out more about these inspiring figures.

#1- Marie Curie

Marie Curie, the only woman ever to receive two Nobel Prizes, is recognized for her work in physics and chemistry. Curie was first recognized in 1903 and received her second award in 1911. She is known by the scientific community as the discoverer of radium and polonium.

#2- Gabriela Mistral

In 1945, Gabriela Mistral received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her poetry and writings, which inspired intense emotion at a time of war and struggle, made her an iconic symbol among the Latin community. Today, thousands of students continue to study her work.

#3- Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai, a Pakastani writer, was the youngest person ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize when she won it in 2014. Yousafzai is widely admired for her work against the oppression of children and the right to an education for all children, particularly girls.

#4- Shirin Ebadi

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The Nobel peace price 2003 was awarded to #shirinebadi for her efforts for democracy and human rights, specially the rights of women and children. I had an unforgettable night with her full of "peace, joy, laughter and love" thanks to my wonderful friend AfsanehB شبى به يادماندنى، با #شيرين_عبادى عزيز، برنده جايزه صلح نوبل ٢٠٠٣. شيرزن، گنجينه و ميراثِ جاودانِ ايران زمين

A post shared by Golshifteh Farahani (@golfarahani) on Apr 20, 2017 at 12:07pm PDT

Shirin Ebadi, the first female Muslim Nobel Peace Prize winner, is known for her work on human rights, particularly for women and children. Ebadi, who was Iran’s first female judge, fought for the persecuted and wrote books discussing restricted topics, such as the country’s divorce laws. Today, Ebadi is a role model for all women.

#5- Nadia Murad/Denis Mukwege

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Nadia Murad signs the Nobel Peace Prize guestbook while her fellow Peace Laureate Denis Mukwege looks on. The pair were awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict. Each of them in their own way has helped to give greater visibility to war-time sexual violence, so that the perpetrators can be held accountable for their actions. Photo: Ken Oppran . . . #nobelprize #nobellaureate #nobelpeaceprize #humanrights #women #peace

A post shared by Nobel Prize (@nobelprize_org) on Dec 17, 2018 at 12:57am PST

In 2018, Murad and Mukwege won the Peace Prize in honor of their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Mukwege has stood up for victims of the Congolese government. Murad, a survivor of sexual slavery at the hands of the Islamic State, works with victims of abuse and human trafficking.

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