Before Safia Al-Mohandes, no female voice had ever been heard on Egyptian radio. Al-Mohandes’ trailblazing career gave her the title Om Al-Ezaayeen (Mother of Broadcasters)—a title earned because of her courage and achievements. Born into a family of art and intellect, her father, Zaki Al-Mohandes, was a prominent Egyptian linguist. Her brother was the ever famous Fouad Al-Mohandes, an actor who left his mark on Egyptian theater, cinema, radio and television. Al-Mohandes received her Bachelor of Arts from the Department of English Language at Cairo University in 1945. Shortly after, she started her career as an air news announcer, and two years later, she became the focal broadcaster for all women-related broadcasts on Egyptian radio in 1947. Al-Mohandes was the first female voice to be heard by Egyptians on the radio. She was known for being the first woman to say the famous to say Hona Al-Qahira (From Cairo) at the beginning of her program Rokn Al-Maraa (Women’s Corner), which was then transformed into Rabat Al-Beyout (Homemakers), a program that discussed social issues. Al-Mohandes brought together famous women such as Amina Al-Said, Bent Al-Shati, and Suhair Al-Qalmawi on her show,…
