Calderone, Mary Steichen (1904-1998), an American physician, won fame for her efforts to promote sex education in schools. She helped establish the Sex Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) in 1964 and was its executive director until 1982. SIECUS provides information about sex education to counselors, physicians, religious groups, and schools. It also publishes books and study guides.
Calderone was born in New York City and earned an M.D. at the University of Rochester. She and her husband, also a physician, both worked in the field of public health. Calderone formerly served as physician to the public schools in Great Neck, New York. From 1953 to 1964, she was medical director of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She became convinced that a thorough understanding of sex would help people handle their sexual problems responsibly and achieve greater health and happiness.
