Marie Louise Compernolle facts for kids

Marie Louise Compernolle (1909–2005) was a pioneering Belgian engineer. She was the very first woman from Flanders to become a chemical engineer. This means she studied how to use chemistry to solve problems and create new things. She opened doors for many other women in science and engineering!

Early Life

Marie Louise Compernolle was born on September 17, 1909. Her hometown was Assebroek, a place in Flanders, Belgium. Her father, Hector, had a business selling special soil. This soil was used by florists in Ghent to grow beautiful azalea flowers. Her mother, Marguerite, ran a grocery store right from their house.

Marie Louise had a younger brother named Harry. He grew up to become one of the first doctors in Belgium who specialized in treating children. Marie Louise's aunt and uncle, Flavie and Jules, were very supportive of her education. Jules was even the head teacher at a local school.

Her Education Journey

Marie Louise started her schooling with nuns. Then, she went to her uncle Jules's school in Assebroek. She was the only girl in the whole school! After that, she moved to a State Middle School in nearby Bruges. This was a big change because lessons were taught in French, and Marie Louise had only learned in Flemish before. She quickly adapted!

After three years, she moved to the Royal Athenaeum. Guess what? She was the first girl ever allowed to study there! Marie Louise was a brilliant student. In 1929, she passed her university entrance exams. She then began studying engineering at Ghent University. She chose to specialize in chemical engineering. In 1932, she earned her PhD in chemical engineering from Ghent University. She was the first woman to get a PhD in engineering from that university!

Her Career Path

After graduating, Marie Louise wanted to work at the university. She applied for a job as an assistant in physics. However, her application was turned down. The reason given was that during tough economic times, men were given priority for jobs over women.

But Marie Louise didn't give up! The next year, she was finally allowed to work as an assistant in the laboratory. In October 1934, her trial period ended, and she got a full assistant role. Sadly, two years later, her contract renewal faced problems again. Instead of renewing her full contract, she was given a temporary assistant title. In 1937, she decided to leave her job. She had faced a lot of unfair treatment, especially as her husband's career was doing very well.

Personal Life

On September 12, 1936, Marie Louise married Polydoor Mortier. He was a professor and a doctor of mathematics and physics. They had met while working together in the same laboratory.

Marie Louise decided to focus on supporting her husband's career. In 1937, they moved to the United States for six months. Polydoor had a scholarship to study at Brown University in Rhode Island. When they returned, Polydoor continued his work at the university. He eventually took over his professor's position.

Marie Louise later said that she would have "loved to remain an assistant at the university." But she also said, "I made sure that my scientific interests were parallel to my husband's academic career. I helped him the best I could in every way. I have never regretted it."

Marie Louise and Polydoor had five daughters between 1939 and 1948. One daughter sadly passed away at birth in 1951. Marie Louise was determined that her surviving daughters would have great educational chances and professional careers. And they did! Her daughters became a mathematician, a children's doctor, a radiologist, and a dentist.

Marie Louise Compernolle passed away on February 11, 2005. She left behind a legacy of breaking barriers for women in science.