thumb|left|Clare Boothe as a young socialite in the 1920s She attended the cathedral schools in Garden City and Tarrytown, New York, graduating first in her class in 1919 at 16. Her ambitious mother's initial plan for her was to become an actress. Clare understudied Mary Pickford on Broadway at age 10, and had her Broadway debut in Mrs. Henry B. Harris' production of "The Dummy" in 1914, a detective comedy. She then had a small part in Thomas Edison's 1915 movie, The Heart of a Waif.Morris 1997, pp. 49–52. After a tour of Europe with her mother and stepfather, Dr. Albert E. Austin, whom Ann Boothe married in 1919, she became interested in the women's suffrage movement, and she was hired by Alva Belmont to work for the National Woman's Party in Washington, D.C. and Seneca Falls, New York.Morris 1997, pp. 110–14, 120–21.
thumb|left|Clare Boothe as a young socialite in the 1920s She attended the cathedral schools in Garden City and Tarrytown New York graduating first in her class in 1919 at 16 Her ambitious mother's initial plan for her was to become an actress Clare understudied Mary Pickford on Broadway at age 10 and had her Broadway debut in Mrs Henry B Harris' production of "The Dummy" in 1914 a detective comedy She then had a small part in Thomas Edison's 1915 movie The Heart of a WaifMorris 1997 pp 49–52 After a tour of Europe with her mother and stepfather Dr Albert E Austin whom Ann Boothe married in 1919 she became interested in the women's suffrage movement and she was hired by Alva Belmont to work for the National Woman's Party in Washington DC and Seneca Falls New YorkMorris 1997 pp 110–14 120–21