Mariam A. Aleem was born on December 28, 1930. The Egyptian artist and art professor specializing in printed design received her Bachelor of Arts from the Faculty of Fine Arts Cairo in 1954 and her Master of Fine Arts in graphic printing from USC in 1957. Beginning in 1958, Aleem taught printmaking at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Alexandria. In 1968, she became an assistant professor, heading the Printmaking Department. Aleem became a full-time professor in 1975 and led the Design Department from 1985 to 1990. She has earned numerous notable awards, including the National Order for Art and Science of the First Degree from Egypt in 1974 and the International Year of the Woman Award from Egypt and Italy in 1975.