Our first introduction to Mildred is her attempted suicide. This is a very powerful and dramatic way to introduce one of the key players in the novel; it is a great way for the reader to realize, almost immediately, that something is wrong in their society, and in Montag's marriage. So why introduce Clarisse first? She provides the perfect contrast to Mildred. If we had immediately been introduced to Mildred, her suicide is awful, yes, but without the contrast of the fresh, youthful, very much alive Clarisse first, it's not as powerful of an impact.
Compare the descriptions to the two women, and how contrasting they are. Clarisse: "eyes so dark and shining and alive that he felt he had seaid something quite wonderful," and "her face...as fragile milk crystal with a soft and constant light in it," and "her eyes were tow miraculous bits of violet amber that might capture and hold him intact." Then, Mildred: "a body displayed on the lid of a tomb, her eyes fixed to the ceiling...immovable," and "her face...felt no rain...felt no shadow...her eyes all glass...not caring whether [breath] came or went, went or came."
If you compare these descriptions, the difference is stark, startling even, but even more so because Clarisse's came first. She is so alive and dynamic, and Mildred is like a corpse. It's an effective way to show society's impact on people; Mildred is the result of their society, Clarisse the potential without it.
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