First American Woman to Receive Nobel Prize

As we come to the close of commemorating the contribution of women during the month of March, it is fitting that we remember Gerty Radnitz Cori, the first American woman to receive a Nobel Prize.

Gerty Radnitz Cori was born in an age when women were taught that their sole aim in life was to find a husband and never concentrate on a career. She turned her back on that narrow-minded, prejudicial advice and wound up becoming the first American woman to win a Nobel Prize in science.

Gerty Theresa was born on August 15, 1896 in Prague, in what is now the Czech Republic. She was educated in the finer things in life – learning social skills, ballet, art, etc. – because that was the way women at the time were supposed to land a man. However, around age 16, Gerty’s train went off the cultural track because she decided that she wanted to study medicine. This just wasn’t done, she was told. Shut up and find a husband to take care of you. Women have no aptitude for studying.

So Gerty learned Latin, passed all of her academic requirements in one year’s time, and enrolled in medical school at age 18. In school she met Carl Cori, who like her, became more interested in research than becoming a doctor. Being Jewish, she was told that she couldn’t marry him, for he was a Catholic and anti-Semitism was sweeping Europe. She converted to Catholicism.

In 1922, the Coris moved to the United States. Here they focused their research efforts on diabetes. They worked together so seamlessly that a newspaper marveled that “it is hard to tell where the work of one leaves off and that of the other begins.”

Together, the Coris made numerous discoveries about diabetes. One was that the body utilizes sugar in a continuous cycle. This became known as the Cori cycle. Another was the discovery of a new form of glucose called Cori ester. Another was the discovery of new enzymes.

In 1947, because of all the discoveries they had made, Gerty became the first American woman to receive a Nobel Prize in the sciences. She was only the third female worldwide to win the award. Fittingly, she shared the prize with her lifelong partner – her husband.

Gerty Cori continued working right up until her death on October 26, 1957, at age 61. Thanks to her work, along with that of her husband, science had advanced by leaps and bounds. It’s a good thing she ignored the simple-minded prejudice that had once been considered the “right” way to live her life.

At the close of Women’s History month, we remember Gerty Radnitz Cori, the first American woman to receive a Nobel prize.