Virginia Apgar is a physician who develops a series of rapid checks for use on newborn infants to determine if the babies need medical attention. The Apgar numerical score, determined at one minute and again at five minutes after birth, has been used worldwide ever since.
Mary Steichen Calderone becomes the medical director of Planned Parenthood; she organizes a conference for women health providers on the dangers of illegal abortion.
Politician and diplomat Clare Boothe Luce is appointed the U.S. ambassador to Italy.
Lupe Serrano joins the American Ballet Theatre as the first female Hispanic principal dancer, having made her professional career debut at age thirteen in Mexico, where she became a leading ballerina. By the time of her retirement in 1971, she will have been principal ballerina and danced more than fifty roles.
Comedic actress and animal rights advocate Betty White stars in her first sitcom, Life with Elizabeth.
Native American dancer Maria Tallchief becomes the prima ballerina with the New York City Ballet.