An illustrated biography of the life of Edith Renfrow Smith is now available for purchase from the Pioneer Bookstore (first edition, higher print quality) and from major retailers like Amazon (print on demand edition). Remarkable at age 111 as of July 14, 2025, she is an inspiration to many. She was born in Grinnell, Iowa, in 1914 to one of the few Black families in the area. Her grandparents were born into slavery. Her grandfather escaped via the Underground Railroad, traveling through Grinnell with John Brown in 1859. Her mother’s passion for education inspired all six of the Renfrow children to go to college. In 1937, Edith Renfrow became the first Black woman to graduate from Grinnell College. In September 2024, the college named their newest building Renfrow Hall in her honor. She was 110 years old at the time of the building dedication. She flew from Chicago to Grinnell in a private jet, was greeted by the community with a parade, and participated in the weekend of celebration in her honor.
This website documents the process of writing the book which was published in January 2024. It includes the ways that Mrs. Renfrow Smith and her daughter, Alice Smith, were involved every step of they way. You can order your copy from the Pioneer Bookstore in Grinnell.
Read about me and why I did this on the About the Author page.
Read about the journey of publishing this book
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Still amazing at 111!
Yesterday the remarkable Edith Renfrow Smith turned 111 years old. One hundred and eleven. ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN!!!! She was joined in celebrating by three members of Team Renfrow – Tamara Beaubouef, Valeriya Woodard, and Feven Getachew. They had a special luncheon with Edith and her daughter Alice and other close friends. Team Renfrow delivered…
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Spreading the story in Iowa
Iowa Public Radio and the Our Iowa Magazine The last few weeks have seen some great coverage of the Renfrow book to a wider Iowa audience via two of my favorite outlets. The October/November 2024 edition of Our Iowa, a very popular magazine around the state, included a nice write up by Megan Veldboom, another…
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Renfrow Hall Celebration
It’s been a week since the dedication of Renfrow Hall and I am still reliving all of the wonderful memories created by this event: greeting this special lady and her daughter at the airport as they arrived via private jet; a two mile parade filled with well wishers of all ages; beautiful wheat paste murals…
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In less than three weeks…
In less than three weeks, the inspiring Edith Renfrow Smith will return to the town where she was born for the celebration and dedication of a building named in her honor. She will arrive in a private jet, be greeted with a parade through town, have a party for the entire community in Central Park,…
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Celebrating her 110th Birthday
How do you celebrate a milestone that only one in a million (possibly more) will ever reach? For the delightful Edith Renfrow Smith, you do it by going to afternoon tea at a favorite spot on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. On July 14, 2024, Edith and her daughter, Alice, got dressed up in their finest for…
Pictures with Edith Renfrow Smith 2015-2023
No One is Better than You: Edith Renfrow Smith and the Power of a Mother’s Words
An illustrated biography for all ages.
Description
This illustrated biography is targeted at upper elementary readers but will be enjoyed by all ages. It has a strong message of empowerment. The text is by Monique McLay Shore, a friend of Mrs. Renfrow Smith who has spent several years researching her life. Illustrations are by Erica L. Butler, a Seattle based African American artist. Edith Renfrow Smith and her daughter, Alice Frances Smith, have been involved in the process from the very beginning. The posts on this website document the process of writing the book.
“No one is better than you. They may have more money. They may be more beautiful. But no one is any better than you.”
This wisdom learned from her mother has been a guiding message for Edith and one she shares frequently with others. It is fitting that this message is the cornerstone of the book about her life.
The Renfrow Story 