IWD.. Remembering Samira Moussa… Atomic Mind for Egyptian Female

By: Mai Shaheen, Yassmine ElSayed

CAIRO, Mar. 8 (SEE) - March 8 is the day which turned from a painful memory to an international celebration. Creativity and pain are correlated partners for the woman. In spite of challenges, women prove their success everywhere. Therefore, SEE celebrates the International Woman's Day.

Among those demonstrated exceptional excellence, was Samira Moussa.. The first Egyptian atomic scientist who, though her relatively young age, registered great excellence in science, before she died in mysterious and doubtful circumstances indicated possible assassination.

Apparently, her father and teachers had greatly affected her path.. Her father was a prominent social figure. He was always receiving guests, friends and neighbours for social discussions.

Born in Senbo village, Gharbiya governorate, on March 3rd 1917, Moussa attended primary school, memorized chapters of the Holy Qur'an. Her talent was to read the newspapers until she moved to attend a school in Cairo. Her father accompanied her and bought a hotel as an investment to afford her studies and lives in Cairo. she attended Kasr al-Shouk school and then Ashraf Girls Secondary Secondary private school, which was founded by the feminist activist Nabuya Mousa.

Among the teachers who observed her scientific excellence was Dr. Mustafa Musharrafa, who was the first Egyptian Dean of the Faculty of Science, University of Fouad (now known as Cairo University). He supported her until she became the first Egyptian assistant teacher. She received a master's degree in "thermal communication of gases," and travelled to Britain to study nuclear radiation where she obtained a PhD in X-ray and its impact on various materials.

She had social role as she founded the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), as she believed that "increasing possession of nuclear weapons contributes to peace, because any country embracing the idea of ​​peace must speak from a powerful position". She helped in sending researchers to study atomic science abroad. In addition, she organized conference on “Atom for Peace”, at Faculty of Sciences. In the medical field, she hoped that atoms would enter the field of medical treatment, and she had a famous saying: "I hope to see cancer treatment with atoms, just like bills."

Moussa was privileged with a huge photographic memory which helped her to complete her academic and scientific tasks. Along her path, she was known for her excellence and genius mind. She received many awards before she died on August 15, 1952, in a car crash in the United States, which is still surrounded by doubts as if she was assassinated.