Sabiha Gürayman secured her place in history as the first female civil engineer in Turkey, serving as the chief engineer for the construction of Anıtkabir for ten years. Her professional trajectory challenged gender roles during the mid-twentieth century, moving from the site of government infrastructure projects to the coordination of one of the country's most significant architectural undertakings.
Academic and Athletic Foundations
Born in 1910 in Bitola, then part of the Ottoman Empire, Gürayman completed her early education at Beşiktaş Esma Sultan Primary School and Nişantaşı Girls' Middle School. In 1927, she enrolled at the Higher Engineer's School, known today as Istanbul Technical University, becoming the institution's first female student. She graduated in 1933 alongside Melek, a fellow female student. During her university years, she pioneered women's participation in Turkish volleyball. She joined Fenerbahçe SK, where fans recognized her agility by bestowing the nickname Uçan Parmaklar, or Flying Fingers, upon her. She eventually served as the team's captain.
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Upon graduating, Gürayman joined the Ankara Public Works Directorate under the Ministry of Public Works. Her early professional work included designing two secondary schools in the Erzurumçeşmesi and Kabaküllük districts. She contributed to the construction of various government buildings and the Turkish Grand National Assembly. In the Beypazarı district, she supervised the building of the Kemer Bridge, which locals dubbed the Girls' Bridge in recognition of her role. In 1941, she reached the position of coordination office chief, overseeing the control of the Grand National Assembly construction project.
The Anıtkabir Project
On 29 December 1945, Gürayman assumed the role of supervisor for the construction of Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, following the resignation of Ekrem Demirtaş. She maintained this position for ten years until the project concluded. Her presence at the site generated international attention, prompting Greek Prime Minister Sofoklis Venizelos to express his surprise at seeing a woman in charge of such a high-profile work. She frequently wore trousers on site, a practice that drew notice at the time.
Retirement and Legacy
Gürayman married fellow engineer Remzi Gürayman in 1939. After retiring in 1963, she remained in the professional sphere until leaving her career behind. Following the death of her husband in 1993, she relocated from Istanbul to İzmir to reside with her niece, Beyhan Susup. She died on 4 January 2003 and was interred at Doğançay Cemetery. Her estate provided scholarship funds to the Istanbul Technical University Foundation and the Fevzi Akkaya Foundation for Basic Education.
Fast facts
- Born: 1910, Bitola
- Died: 4 January 2003, İzmir
- Education: Istanbul Technical University
- Primary Occupation: Civil engineer
- Athletic career: Fenerbahçe SK volleyball captain
- Marriage: Remzi Gürayman, 1939
- Notable role: Chief engineer of Anıtkabir construction
- Burial site: Doğançay Cemetery, İzmir
Questions readers ask
What was Sabiha Gürayman's role at Anıtkabir?
She served as the chief engineer for the project for ten years, taking over the supervisory role in 1945.
Was she involved in sports?
Yes, she was the first female volleyball player in Turkey and the first female player for Fenerbahçe SK.
Achievements
- Trained at Istanbul Technical University
