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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400 books! Now to get some to Chicago.
As of this afternoon, I have sent 399 books to libraries. If you count the one I have set aside to take to the library in Boulder City, Nevada, the town where I grew up and where my mom still lives, that makes 400 books donated to libraries.The library donations really ramped up over the…
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Taking flight to libraries
As those who have been following the project from the beginning may remember, last April I did a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to pay the illustrator and cover the bulk of the initial print expenses. Those who contributed $25 would receive a copy of the book. Support at the $50 or more level also…
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Sharing is so much fun!
What a joyful journey it has been since my last post! Getting the books into the hands of fellow Renfrow story enthusiasts has been simply wonderful in every way. My first stop was to the Pioneer Bookstore, where Cassie and Sonya met me at the back door on a frigid morning. Stomping through the snow…
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We have books! And another adventure!!
I woke up this morning filled with joyful anticipation of book delivery day. The weather last week delayed delivery which had really bummed me out. Since last Tuesday we’ve had 20 or so inches of snow and multiple days of blizzard conditions and dangerous wind chills. All of which pretty much made going anywhere further…
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 