Clare Boothe Luce was a formidable figure in 20th-century America, exemplifying how women could break through societal barriers. Her multifaceted career spanned journalism, playwriting, and politics, leaving an indelible mark. As a trailblazer for women in various fields, her life story continues to inspire many.

Early Life

Born on April 10, 1903, in New York City, Ann Clare Boothe was the daughter of Ann Clare Snyder Boothe and William F. Boothe. Her mother, coming from a lineage of Bavarian Catholic immigrants, was a former chorus girl, while her father, the son of a Baptist minister, was both a violinist and an executive at the Boothe Piano Company. Clare’s lineage connected her to the famed theatrical Booth family, including Edwin and John Wilkes Booth, which led some family members to alter their surname after President Lincoln's assassination to distance themselves.

Her early life was tumultuous; her father left when she was eight, pursuing a career in music. Her determined mother strived to provide Clare with a quality education, often involving creative solutions such as living with friends and investing in the stock market. Clare’s education was a mix of private schooling, homeschooling, and international travel, fostering a deep appreciation for literature. She graduated from Castle School in Tarrytown in 1919.

After leaving school, Clare briefly worked in Manhattan, taking on the name Jacqueline Tanner while employed at a candy factory. A bout of appendicitis brought her back home, where her mother had remarried Dr. Albert E. Austin. The family trip to Europe marked a significant turn in Clare's life, where she met socialite Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont and subsequently millionaire George Brokaw, whom she married in 1923 at the age of 20.

Life’s Work

Clare's marriage to Brokaw ended in divorce in 1929, but the settlement allowed her to begin anew. She moved into a luxurious penthouse and turned her attention to publishing, becoming the managing editor of Vanity Fair by 1933. Her writing career blossomed, leading her to leave Vanity Fair to focus on playwriting, where she found success with The Women in 1936, a satirical play featuring an all-female cast. Not only was it a hit on Broadway, but it also inspired film adaptations, cementing her status as a playwright.

In 1935, Clare's life took another pivotal turn when she married Henry Luce, cofounder of Time magazine. Together they worked on creating Life magazine, and Clare's role in the publishing world kept her informed on global events. Her political involvement deepened as she campaigned for Wendell Willkie in 1940, gaining valuable experience despite his loss.

As a Life magazine correspondent during the early 1940s, Luce traveled extensively, reporting on wartime conditions in Asia and Europe. Her firsthand insights impressed Republican leaders, prompting her to run for Congress in Connecticut's Second District in 1942, where she succeeded. Luce's entry into Congress was marked by her intelligence and determination, quickly learning the art of compromise as she pursued seats on influential committees.

Among her notable contributions was her 1943 speech "American and the Postwar Air World," where she criticized the Roosevelt administration's foreign policy. Although the media focused on her coined term "globaloney," her substantial policy critiques showcased her political acumen. Clare Boothe Luce's legislative efforts were diverse, advocating for gender equality in the military, housing for veterans, and international cooperation for peace.

Never one to shy from controversy, Luce criticized sentimental politics, such as the Atlantic Charter's "Four Freedoms," advocating instead for concrete foreign policy strategies. Her insights were often ahead of her time, as she voiced concerns about Soviet aggression and critiqued the Yalta conference outcomes.

Later Career...