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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Waiting game
I approved the final proof on Nov. 6, officially sending the book off to the presses. I’m working with Print Ninja, a company out of Evanston, Illinois and they have been wonderful. To keep costs low, the actual printing is done in China. (I have very mixed feelings about this part, but working on a…
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Final changes – Final proofreading
We have 60 pages that we have reviewed, revised, rewritten, redrawn, removed, and now – I think – we are ready to release them into the hands of the printer! Erica has pushed through the pain and inconvenience of a nasty sprained ankle, a fall she took just as I was leaving for an overdue…
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“She gets 100%”
I called the lovely Miss Edith this morning. I’ve been on a long anticipated trip to Ireland the last two weeks. The month before the trip was so busy and intense I hadn’t had a chance to talk to her in quite some time. It was so good to hear her sweet voice. She is…
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Not what she envisioned
I had a really thought provoking conversation with Edith’s daughter, Alice, this week that has had me pondering things quite a bit. We were talking about how her mom was feeling about the book and the illustrations. In essence she said that when I first read the story to her mom she loved it. At…
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“If only he could see her now”
Mumford Holland was a close family friend of the Renfrows. A long time neighbor, they cared for him in his final years, and he left his property to members of the family. His story was told in the Hazelwood Cemetery Walk in September 2023. “When I think about Mr. Holland – who lived and was…
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 