Timeline of Clare Boothe Luce

Ann Clare Boothe (Clare Boothe Luce) Birth

Mar 10, 1903

Ann Clare Boothe (Clare Boothe Luce) was born on March 10th, 1903, in New York City, New York.

Boothe's Parents Separate

1912

Although Boothe's parents were never married, they ended up separating in 1912.

Boothe's Early Education

1914

At only age 10, Boothe understudied Mary Pickford on Broadway because Boothe's mother wanted her to become an actress. Furthermore, she had her Broadway debut in Mrs. Henry B. Harris' production of "The Dummy," a detective comedy.

Small Acting Part

1915

Boothe had a small part in Thomas Edison's movie, The Heart of a Waif

Boothe Graduates First At Only 16

1919

Boothe attended cathedral schools in Garden City and Tarrytown, New York. She ended up graduating first in her class at only 16 years old.

Boothe's Sudden Interest

1919

Boothe became interested in the Women's Suffrage Movement and was then hired by Alva Belmont to work for the National Women's Party in Washington, D.C., and Seneca Falls, New York.

Boothe Marries George Tuttle Brokaw

Aug 10, 1923

Boothe weds George Tuttle Brokaw, who is a millionaire heir to a New York clothing fortune.

Boothe and Brokaw's First Child is Born

Apr 25, 1924

On April 25th, 1924, Ann Clare Brokaw was born.

First Marriage Fail

1929

Boothe noticed how Brokaw was an alcoholic, which resulted in a divorce between them.

First Short Stories Published

1931

Luce finally published a volume of humorous short stories: "Stuffed Shirts."

Name Change

1935

After Boothe married her husband, Henry Luce, she then went by Clare Boothe Luce

Second Marriage

Nov 23, 1935

Boothe married Henry Luce in 1935.

"The Women" By Clare Boothe Luce

1936

Luce made a play called "The Women," where the play's cast is just all women. It became prevalent on Broadway, and it became a movie three years later.

"Kiss The Boys Goodbye" by Clare Boothe Luce

1938

Luce then made another play, "Kiss The Boys Goodbye." It was not as successful as "The Women," but it later became a movie as well.

Close Friend's Terrible Suicide

Oct 21, 1938

Luce had a close friend, Dorothy Hale, who was also friends with Frida Kahlo, who took her own life. Hale jumped from the top window of her luxurious apartment in her favorite black dress with a corsage of small yellow roses.

Terrible Memorial Painting

1939

After learning about Hale's suicide, Luce in grief commissioned Frida Kahlo to paint a portrait of Hale for remembrance. Kahlo ended up creating "The Suicide of Dorothy Hale," which left Luce shocked, and almost made her destroy it.

"Margin For Error" by Clare Boothe Luce

1939

Luce made a play, "Margin for Error," which presented an "all-out attack on the Nazis' racist philosophy." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Boothe_Luce

The Holocaust

1941

The Holocaust started in 1941, where Hitler then created concentration camps to kill all Jews and other people who were not perfect in his eyes.

Political Career

1942

Luce won a Republican seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She represented Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Religion

1944

Shortly after learning about her daughter's death, Luce began to become interested in psychotherapy and religion.

Lost of Only Child

Jan 11, 1944

Unfortunately, Luce lost another loved one, her only child. Ann Clare Brokaw was only a senior at Standford University. Brokaw was killed in an automobile accident. Ann Clare Brokaw was only 19 years old.

Religion Continued

1946

Luce was then attending the Roman Catholic Church after grief counseling with Father Fulton Sheen. Then, she became an ardent essayist and lecturer to celebrate her faith after being named Dame of Malta.

Memorial of Ann Clare Brokaw's Death

1949

Luce then decided to use Standford University's campus money to fund the construction of a Catholic church.

Ambassador to Italy

1953

"[Luce] anti-Communist speeches... were effective in persuading a large number of traditionally Democratic-voting Catholics to switch parties and vote Eisenhower... Luce was rewarded with an appointment as Ambassador to Italy, a post that oversaw 1150 employees, 8 consulates, and 9 information centers. She was confirmed by the Senate in March 1953, the first American woman ever to hold such an important diplomatic post." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Boothe_Luce

Ambassador to Brazil Nomination

1959

President Eisenhower nominated Luce to be the US Ambassador to Brazil. This is where Luce began to learn the Portuguese language to prepare for the job. However, Luce's husband persuaded her to decline the appointment, saying that it would be difficult. Luce sent Eisenhower a letter to tell him that "she felt that the controversy surrounding her appointment would hinder her abilities..." Luce never officially took the job. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Boothe_Luce

From Being Married, to Being a Widow

Feb 28, 1967

Luce's husband, Henry died of a heart attack when he was only 68 years old.

Permanent Home

1983

Shortly after Henry's death, Luce went to Washington, D.C., and stayed there until her death.

Presidential Medal of Freedom Awarded to Luce

1983

In 1983, President Reagan awarded Luce the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Luce was the first female member of Congress to receive this award.

Luce's Death

Oct 9, 1987

Luce died of cancer at her home in Washington, D.C., on October 9th, 1987. Luce was only 84 years old.

References

2021

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-10-09-mn-8696-story.html#:~:text=Clare%20Boothe%20Luce%2C%20author%2C%20playwright,at%20her%20home%20in%20Washington.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Boothe_Luce
https://www.fridakahlo.org/the-suicide-of-dorothy-hale.jsp
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/the-holocaust
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holocaust
https://www.playbill.com/person/clare-boothe-luce-vault-0000024875
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Women_(play)