Clare Boothe Luce was an American author, politician, and diplomat. She was the first American woman appointed to a major ambassadorial post abroad, serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Italy from 1953 to 1956. She was also the first female member of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut, and the first woman to receive an honorary degree from Yale University. Luce was a prolific writer, producing plays, short stories, and magazine articles. She was also a staunch advocate for women's rights and was a strong supporter of the Republican Party.