Today’s birthdays:

Elizabeth McCombs, first woman elected to New Zealand’s Parliament (18731935); Alice Cassie, New Zealand political activist/ feminist (18871963); Kathleen Todd, New Zealand child psychiatrist (18981968); Basil Meeking, New Zealand Roman Catholic bishop (19292020); Meg Campbell, New Zealand poet (19372007); Sir Kenneth Keith, New Zealand judge (1937); Max Cresswell, New Zealand philosopher (1939); Calvin Klein, US clothing designer (1942); Anthony (Eddie) Rayner, New Zealand musician (1952); Robert Beltran, US actor (1953); Dennis Ireland, New Zealand Grand Prix motorcycle racer (1954); Allison Janney, US actress (1959); Meg Ryan, US actress (1961); Jodie Foster, US actress (1962); Jocelyn Lees, New Zealand sport shooter (1965); Paul Campion, New Zealand film director (1967); Toni Marsh, New Zealand broadcaster (1968); Alexander (Mahe) Drysdale, New Zealand rower (1978); Adele Silver, English actress (1980); Kimberley (Kim) Smith, New Zealand runner (1981).