This document profiles the lives and accomplishments of Marie Curie, Florence Nightingale, and Eleanor Roosevelt. It discusses their exemplary leadership qualities and preconditions for leadership, including intelligence, tolerance for change, desire to lead, and strong communication skills. It also examines how they managed their energy through focus, restoration, and flow. Key leadership dimensions discussed are positive framing through self-awareness and learned optimism, and connecting through network design, sponsorship, reciprocity, and inclusiveness.

1. t
Marie
Curie
Florence
Nightingale
Eleanor
Roosevelt
Exemplars of the Fabulous Five Dimensions
of Centered Leadership
Kelley Conrad, UOPX; Anastasia Metros, UOPX, Barbara Shambaugh, Consultant

2. Why these Women?
It started with an interest in Florence
Nightingale. We were researching her recently
published “Collected Works” when someone
said she was one of only three women on a list
of the 100 most influential People of the last
1000 years. We never found that list. But we
found several others and noted very few women
on them. We found Florence Nightingale, Marie
Curie, and Eleanor Roosevelt on several lists.

3. Marie Curie
1867-1934
• Coined word “radioactivity”
• Discovered Radium
• Shared Nobel Prize in Physics with her
husband – 1898
• Earned Doctorate in 1903 – still considered one
of the greatest scientific contributions made by a
doctoral student
• Took over Radium Lab after husband’s death in
1906
• Managed construction of Sorbonne’s Institute of
Radium
• Awarded second Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911
(Only woman with 2)
• During WWII invented portable X-ray machines
and trained 150 French housewives to operate
them
• First woman in 650 years to be admitted to
faculty of Sorbonne
• First woman elected to Académie de Médicine
• Member of the International Committee on
Intellectual Cooperation for the League of
Nations
• Recipient of 125 awards and Honorary titles
“I am among those who think that
science has great beauty. A scientist in
his laboratory is not only a technician:
He is also a child placed before natural
phenomena which impress him like a
fairy tale.”

4. Florence Nightingale
1820-1910
• In 1851, trained as a nurse at the Institute of Protestant
Deaconnesses at Kaiserswerth
• In 1853, accepted position as superintendent of the
Institution for the Care of Sick Gentlewomen in
London.
• Single handedly raised the standard of hospital and
nursing care in Great Britain.
• In 1854, agreed to supervise a contingent of nurses
being sent to Scutari to assist doctors at the Barracks
Hospital.
• With astonishing speed and skill began to improve the
conditions and aid the sick and wounded. Eventually
12,000 patients were treated.
• “Two figures emerged from the Crimea as heroic, the
soldier and the nurse and in each case the
transformation was due to Miss Nightingale.”
• Shunned publicity
• Spent 16 years after the war working on medical and
public health reform.
• Completely changed the profession of nursing.
• A genius for organization and innovation.
• First woman to receive the British Order of Merit
“Miss Nightingale did inspire
awe, not because one felt afraid of
her per se, but because the very
essence of truth seem to emanate
from her, and because of her
perfect fearlessness in telling it.”
Wm. Richmond

5. Eleanor Roosevelt
1884-1962
• Called, “the most influential woman of our times.”
• “Used her influence as first lady and private citizen to
advance the cause of human rights and in doing
so, became the conscience of the country and the most
important public woman of the twentieth century.”
Deborah Felder
• Orphaned by 10 and raised by maternal grandmother
• Attended Allenswood boarding school in England and
was tutored by Marie Souvestre
• 1902 made her debut in society while working at
settlement houses and visiting factories as a member
of National Consumer’s League
• 1905 married FDR, they had 6 children
• 1918 discovered FDR affair and defined a new and
different partnership with FDR
• In 1933 held the first press conference of a first lady.
These continued through her term.
• Wrote a syndicated newspaper column, hosted a radio
show, and wrote a number of books.
• 1945 Became U.S. ambassador to UN and was key in
drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• 1961 Chaired JFK’s Commission on the Status of
Women
“Her liberation was not an
uncovenanted gift. She
attained it only through a
terrifying exertion of self-
discipline….” A. Schlesinger

6. Centered Leadership Model
McKinsey & Company
How remarkable women
lead: The breakthrough
model for work and life.
Barsch, J., & Cranston, S.
TheFabulousFive

7. Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Precondition: Intelligence
At 4 demonstrated she
could read – astonishing
memory of Polish
holidays (MC 10-11) - by
8 was avid reader –two
years younger that
classmates in private
school (MC 18) -
valedictorian of her HS
class – worked as a
private tutor after HS
Learned French and
Italian in boarding
school in London - Was
poised and wandered in
European cities on her
own when in boarding
school
Taught by
governesses, Tutored by
father in classical and
modern
literature, mathematics,
and philosophy

8. Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Precondition: Tolerance for Change
In early life she
experienced many
tragedies – mother dies
of TB –Father demoted –
She had to learn Polish
on the sly – elder sister
died of typhus
Sought out change – first
from expectations of
women in her social
class,
Adapted to a
dominating mother-
in-law, widely
different roles of
mother, wife of
governor and wife of
president

9. Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Precondition: Desire to Lead
Taught in floating
university, later as a
governess – In Szczuki
secretly taught peasant
children to read and write
(MC-67-69) – Accepted
leadership but did not seek
it. After Pierre’s death took
over management of the
Radium institute.
Great interest & Concern for
poor and their suffering –
Visited the sick on her
father’s estate. Quickly
accepted the opportunity
and call to lead a group of
nurses to travel to Scutari to
work in the British military
hospital
At Allenswood, the girls
could not resist…the
qualities of leadership she
displayed in unaffected
ways (p. 26) Expanded
philanthropic activities into
leadership of organizations
beginning with leadership
of the WWI Red Cross
canteen. That experience
generated a new opinion
of herself

10. Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Precondition: Communication Skills
Learned French – wrote
passionate letters – kept
meticulous financial records
– Coined the word
“radioactivity” to describe
the emissions from uranium.
– Resented intrusions of
press and curiosity seekers –
Her notebooks from the 19th
Century are still too
radioactive to be handled.
Early in life began keeping a
journal, had a special Bible
with alternate blank pages
for notes. Used her family’s
social connections to
develop support for her
work. Avoided the limelight
but used letters to persuade
key officials of her cause.
During the 1920 campaign
ER was often the only
woman among the
traveling politicians and
newspaper men. As First
Lady traveled and talked
extensively to support
FDR. In response to FDR’s
campaign manager
became a political activist.
Had a daily newspaper
column, wrote books, had
a monthly article in WHC

11. MANAGING ENERGY: Minimizing Depletion
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
So concentrated on studies
did not cook or eat and
suffered from malnutrition
– at Sorbonne for three
years lives life of
solitude, devoted to study
alone (MC105) – Her secret
universe of implacable
rigor, dominated by passion
for science, excludes
love, marriage (MC119)
Unhappy with life in her
social station, found
happiness through
development of nursing
as a profession.
Withstood criticism and
resistance of doctors and
military in Scutari. Waited
till they recognized her
nurses and she could
help. Later when famous
avoided publicity.
Careful strategizer –
social adeptness across
economic groups and
social classes.
Redefined her marriage
with FDR after his affair
with her social secretary.
After FDR’s
election, commented, “A
nd now – I shall have to
work out my own
salvation” (LS, p. 86).

12. MANAGING ENERGY: Restoration
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Passional love of
atmosphere of laboratory
(MC111). Single minded in
pursuit of radioactivity
source and then radium.
Withstood criticism and
resistance of doctors and
military officers in Scutari.
Felt called by God to be a
nurse. Driven to ease the
suffering of soldiers.
ER used Lorena Hickok as
someone to whom she
could bare her
soul, which became
effective therapy for her
sense of self-worth over
the decade. “I never
talked to
anyone, perhaps that is
why it all ate into my
soul, and I look upon so
many emotions more
seriously than the
younger generation.” (LS.

13. MANAGING ENERGY: Flow
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Moved from Poland to
France, addressed academic
challenges at the Sorbonne
– During building of Physics
Laboratory climbs builders’
scaffoldings, draw plans,
argued with architect
(MC285-286) On outbreak
of war had one thought, to
save France (MC290)
installed 200 radiological
rooms for wounded,
learned to drive Renault
Eagerly accepted
assignment to lead 38
nurse delegation to
Scutari, Turkey – Did not
resist doctor and military
unwillingness, simply
organized the nurses and
the hospital
demonstrating their value
and was ready to assist
when asked.
Took advantage of
opportunities presented
her as a leader in many
organizations – quit
several organizations to
make important points –
advocate for blacks and
youth worldwide. As first
lady began holding press
conferences for women
reporters. The women
became devoted followers
and protective guardians
as well (LS. p. 88).

14. POSITIVE FRAMING: Self Awareness
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
“I does not exist for me.”
MC p. 403; at Sorbonne
“discovers enormous holes
in her ‘culture’” (MC 95)
Explains living alone in
Spartan apartment – as a
girl had not learned to
keep house and didn’t
want to (MC106-7)
Decided she wanted to be a
nurse had to convince her
father and family. Unceasing
concern for suffering of
soldiers – “Angel of the
Crimea” – Continued her
work in Balaclava even after
contracting Crimean fever -
Often sat in the sections
reserved for Blacks at
meetings, When DAR closed
Constitution Hall to
contralto Marian
Anderson, invited her to
sing at the White House –
Held first press conferences
as a First Lady, did not invite
the male press –
Entertained gridiron
widows on the night the
press gave a stag party for
the president.

15. POSITIVE FRAMING: Learned Optimism
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
In Spartan existence as a
student did not admit she
could be cold or hungry
(MC108-109) Not
discouraged by lack of
cooperation by school and
French authorities or
attacks from the French
press, inadequate
equipment dismal facilities
Unceasing concern for
suffering of soldiers –
Persisted in efforts even
though resisted by doctors
and military until they
recognized her nurses could
be of help. “Angel of the
Crimea” – Continued her
work in Balaclava even after
contracting Crimean fever .
After becoming first lady, “I
had no way of knowing
then that I would have
more mail of my own than I
could handle without
spending hours and hours
far into the night on it.”
(TIK, p. 76)
Built relationships
supportive of women and
equal rights in the UN later
served on the Human
Rights commission UN
committee.

16. POSITIVE FRAMING: Moving On
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
After being prohibited to
proceed with engagement
to Casimir Z, met with him
to burn the bridges even
though he was hesitating
and fearsome (MC 87).
After Pierre’s death Marie
took over his teaching
position and laboratory in
the Sorbonne. She was the
first woman to teach at the
University of Paris
From Scutari moved to
Balaclava and instituted
sanitary reforms there.
After return to England
wrote a major paper on the
medical conditions in
military hospitals which
then was applied in India.
After FDR’s affair, she
remained married to him
but became a separate
partner - After FDR''s
death she remained
active and accepted major
leadership roles in the
Truman, Eisenhower, and
Kennedy administrations

17. CONNECTING: Network Design
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
After WWI had no radium
accepted offer of Mrs.
Meloney and women’s
clubs to raise money then
made US Trip to accept the
“Standard” gram of Radium
– Was the first and only
woman in several major
scientific organizations.
Although she resisted the
expectations of her class in
England to pursue
nursing, Responded to
Herbert’s request to head
nursing group for Scutari.
When she needed to
connect with influential
friends was willing to do so.
Appealed to Queen Victoria
to secure supplies for the
hospital in Scutari.
Initially connect by her
family’s prominent role in
NYC. Joined League of
Women Voters. As first
lady built relationships
supportive of women and
equal rights – women
only news conferences
and stag party. In the UN
won followers for her
support of minorities &
children.

18. CONNECTING: Sponsorship
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
After award of Nobel prize
(70,000 gold francs), spend
much of money to subsidize
needy friends and
struggling students and
loans to her sisters and
Pierre’s brother – but failed
to buy a new hat (MC 211-
212) Visited 300-400 French
and Belgian hospitals during
the war (MC 298)
Sidney Herbert, British Sec.
of War who asked her to go
to Scutari (1853 or 54) –
When military refused
suggestions Florence went
directly to Queen Victoria
and in 1857 convened a
royal commission to
implement health reforms
in army – First woman to
receive British Order of
Merit
During the 1920
presidential campaign ER
made peace with Louis
Howe, the ex-reporter
determined to make FDR
president some day (LS, p.
61). Accepted a position on
the legislative committee of
the NY League of Women
voters (LS, p. 63). ER
learned to address
problems and critique
legislative remedies, and
was soon serving on policy
making committees

19. CONNECTING: Reciprocity
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Donated entire 200,000
Franks of second Nobel
prize to French Government
for WWI. Patent on radium
would have enabled her to
give hospitals and
laboratories to France, but
she said humanity needs
dreamers (MC336)
Spent 45,000 pounds raised
by the public to found St
Thomas Hospital nurses
training school (1860)
Although ER understated
the impact she had, she
recognized the leverage
one gained from easy
access to the seat of
power, and she cleared
the path for colleagues
who had issues to discuss
and candidates to
promote (LS, p.78).

20. CONNECTING: Inclusiveness
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Willingly supported others
and their efforts in scholarly
activities and in research.
Fame and publicity brought
them misery and torment
(MC213) Marie’s war
against fame an instinct
with her, and curious
glances fastened on her
bring on dizziness and
physical discomfort
(MC219)
Avoided public recognition
– secluded herself in
London after return from
Scutari – Governments
consulted her – US for
hospitals during Civil War –
British War Office routinely
sent her all sanitary reports.
Wrote major report on
sanitation that became the
guide for the British Army in
India and then everywhere.
Readily related to others
regardless of their
backgrounds. During
WWII visited troops in the
field and Pacific theater.
At first was discouraged
from doing this by military
leaders but while the tour
was still underway was
recognized by Adm.
Nimitz as a major morale
booster

21. ENGAGING: Voice
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Describes happy, absorbed
days in shed extracting
Radium “I wonder what It
will be like, what It will look
like?” (MC 171) From 1899
to 1904 Marie and Pierre
published thirty-two
scientific communications
(MC194) From then one
they receive letters signed
by greatest names in
science (MC194)
After royal commission in
1857 Florence composed an
800 page report in 1858 on
British Army – This led to
requests to advise
improving sanitary
conditions for the army in
India
Took lessons to improve her
speaking voice and develop
skill presenting her ideas and
values – made sure FDR
heard the voices for reform
by inviting people with
different political
persuasions to dinner and
seating them next to him.

22. ENGAGING: Ownership
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Could have patented
Radium but instead
divulged the secrets to
other scientists – (MC 202-
205) Makes no material
profit form discovery (1
gram of radium then worth
$150,000) (MC200)Won
Nobel prize in Chemistry
and a second one in Physics.
Refused Legion of Honor
twice for war service
(MC307
Once she decided she
wanted to be a
nurse, worked steadily
toward becoming one.
When she met resistance to
her ideas to improve
conditions in the British
Army, she took her case
directly to the queen.
Denials aside, politics did
excite her, and ER was not
indifferent to FDR’s political
fate. By 1928 she had
completed her
apprenticeship and was a
full-fledged master of the
trade (LS, p. 79).

23. ENGAGING: Risk Taking
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Abandoned study of uranium
and undertakes to examine all
known chemical bodies either
in pure state or in compounds
(MC 155-156) – Ignored initial
symptoms of radiation
sickness (it was not known)
New element exists only in
her and Pierre’s imagination
but she tells Bronya: “ the
new element is there and I’ve
got to find it. We are sure!”
(MC157)
Compiled statistics on
Crimean Hospital conditions
– 1856 sent proposal to
Ministry of war to revamp
army medial services
During the 1928 presidential
campaign ER accepted an
invitation to codirect the
Women’s Division of the
national office…The pace at
headquarters was
staggering, “I worked until
4:30 a.m. on account of the
radio speech this morning,”
…The work was
discouraging.

24. ENGAGING: Adaptability
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Originally planned on being
a HS teacher, earned three
master’s degrees and a
doctorate – assumed
management of the physics
lab and the physics
department after the death
of her husband.
Worked with
military, civilian, and
governmental bodies
Individual
performer, manager, advoca
te
Able to relate to people from
all walks of life. Wrote
books, edited a
magazine, wrote a daily
newspaper column, held
press conferences, visited
many places as a way of
gathering information for
FDR.
In all the twelve years I
cannot remember that my
office made any mistakes
that caused either my
husband or me

25. MEANING: Happiness
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
First love was in the family
where she was the
governess. “Now that I have
lost hope of every
becoming anybody, all my
ambition has been
transferred to Bronya and
you” (MC75) Marie longed
to join her sister in Paris but
had to work to support her
sister’s medical studies –
Husband killed in 1906.
Caused Marie to become
despondent
Unhappy with life in her
social station, Found
happiness through
development of nursing as a
profession.
However, always felt she
had not done enough when
in Scutari.
Was described a homely and
doir as a young woman –
was in love with FDR and
they married over protests
from both their families –
After FDR’s affair with
Eleanor’s secretary became
an independent partner –
but remained married and
an advocate for the rights of
the poor and disadvantaged

26. MEANING: Signature Strengths
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Gift of absorption
(MC26-7)-Dedicated –
focused – hard working
– Precise and Persistent
(long hours of exacting
effort required to extract
radium from pitchblend
Independence, persisten
ce, organization (Harley
St, London nursing home
superintendent), take
Charge Administrator in
Scutari – Hard worker
(20 hrs/day in Scutari)
Willing and vocal
advocate for many causes
– Skilled negotiator and
speaker –able to
persuade FDR to address
many issues he might
otherwise have ignored –
Strong voice for a new
more equal role for
women

27. MEANING: Purpose
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Original plan was to become a
HS teacher in Poland –
became interested in
radioactivity in 1895 and
began serious study of it in
1897 –Longed to discover the
source of radioactivity.
Thinking she has made an
error in experiment, she
starts measurement over
again ten, twenty times, is
forced to yield to evidence
and comes to only one
possible explanation
At 17 diaried direct call from
God to enter his service –
Moved by suffering she saw
in European hospitals – in
1850 impressed by Sisters of
St Vincent de Paul nursing
order – 1851 three months
with nursing deaconesses in
Kaiserswerth, Germany – two
weeks with nursing order in
Paris – 1853 decided to make
a career in nursing
During the 1924 Democratic
convention, ER held hearings
to determine the resolutions
of her advisory group. “Her
subcommittee called for
vigorous enforcement of
Prohibition and for ratification
of the Child Labor
Amendment…*and+ demanded
increased appropriations to
the Children’s and Women’s
bureaus of the Department of
Labor as well as expanded
services under the Shepard-
Towner Act. Landmark Legis.

28. IMPACT: Presence
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Too shy to make friends with
French, takes refuge among
copatriots of Latin Quarter
(MC101) On rare occasions
when entertains, she is a
meticulous hostess (MC231) at
banquet in her
honor, Warsaw, leaves place to
kiss Mlle Sikorska, childhood
teacher now very old (MC283-
284) Charming to wounded
(MC304) Never speaks of
hardships and dangers of war
service or of physical damage
to her from X-rays and radium.
Wrote many letters and
documents. 6 official reports
and 12 books. Her collected
papers fill 13 volumes
In 1932, ER was sent by FDR to
the second bonus march of
unemployed WWI veterans ER
visited the camp and walked
among the veterans. The
casual manner in which she
described the camp defused
the situation. ER afterward
used the impact of personal
appearance to affect the tone
on subsequent publicity and
on public policy. Initiated press
conferences for female
reporters.

29. IMPACT: Resilience
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Persisted in spite of a
critical French press –
against personal
character that led her to
brink of suicide and
made her gravely ill
(MC279) continued her
studies and won second
Nobel prize based on her
own efforts even though
rejected by the French
Academy of Sciences.
Persisted in work even
when sick and house
bound.
After the first presidential
election, “As I saw it, this
meant the end of any
personal life of my
own….The turmoil in my
heart and mind was
rather great that night….”
(TIR, p.. 74-75)

30. IMPACT: Belonging
Marie Curie Florence Nightingale Eleanor Roosevelt
Strongly identified with
her native
Poland, always intended
to return – supported
her sister’s studies –
after the death of her
husband fell in love with
a married man but had
to abandon the
relationship because of
the criticism in the press
Inspirational model for
women and nurses.
Defined and developed a
new professional role for
nurses. Became loved in
England and the “lady
with the lamp” but
shunned the publicity
. During the mid-1920’s
ER moved comfortably in
both sufferage camps
(LS, p. 72). “…*I+ tried to
remember to invite
TIR, to the White House
old friends and other
people to whom I
thought it would mean a
great deal to come at
least once into that
historic mansion”

31. Centered Leadership
Our analysis of the lives of MC, FN, and ER found good
evidence in their lived experiences for the usefulness of
the Fabulous Five Dimensions of Centered Leadership.
We believe women with a desire to lead would do well to
examine these three women and their models of how to
succeed through the expression of their own values and
wisdom. The Fabulous Five Dimensions are:
1. Meaning
2. Managing Energy
3. Positive Framing
4. Connecting
5. Engaging

32. Contact Information
Conrad, K. A., Metros, A., & Shambaugh, B. (2013, June). Nightingale, Curie, and Roosevelt as exemplars
of the fabulous five dimensions of Centered Leadership. Paper presented at the International
Leadership Association Women and Leadership Affinity Group Conference, Asilomar, Pacific
Grove, CA.
For a copy of the paper itself, please email your request to Kelley.
• Kelley A. Conrad, School of Advanced Studies, University of Phoenix
Kelley.Conrad@Phoenix.edu
402 Genesee St. Apt. 201
Delafield, WI 53018
262-443-3662
• Anastasia Metros, School of Advanced Studies, University of Phoenix
ametros@gmail.com
608-577-5773
• Barbara Shambaugh, Nursing Systems Consultant
Barbara.Shambaugh@Phoenix.edu
77 Pond Avenue #1501
Brookline, MA 02445
617-974-3084