The Renfrow Story

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.

Order Your Copy Here
A short video introducing the book, featuring Edith Renfrow Smith talking about what she thinks of it.

Read about the journey of publishing this book

  • First illustrations

    The last few weeks have seen some great progress on the book front. The Kickstarter campaign officially ended on May 10, but it takes a couple of weeks before all of the funds get processed and deposited into my account. Now that those funds are in had, I’m more easily able to pay the illustrator…

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  • Walking in her light

    This is the power of her attention and regard, and all of you in this room who have had the honor and the joy of speaking with Mrs. Renfrow Smith have experienced this light on you.  Grinnell College President Anne Harris, April 26, 2023 In a lovely room in Chicago’s Brookdale retirement community, a group…

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  • Preorder now from Pioneer Bookstore

    I am thrilled to say that the Grinnell College Pioneer Bookstore is now offering a preorder option for the book! The Bookstore Manager, Cassie, has been super helpful and great to work with. Even though the book won’t be out until sometime next fall, I have people who are asking if they can reserve a…

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  • Thinking through details. And a quick trip to see Edith.

    Getting the funding I needed is such huge blessing (thank you contributors!) so now my attention has turned to figuring out all the details to make this actually work. After looking into a variety of options, I found a company called Print Ninja that I think is going to work well to print a high…

  • My head is spinning! So much joy and gratitude.

    The last week has been a whirlwind. A week ago I was feeling overwhelmed and daunted by all that was happening and needed to get done. Today, I stand in awe and gratitude. I had set the Kickstarter launch for April 10, not remembering that it was the Monday after Easter weekend (we generally host…

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Pictures with Edith Renfrow Smith 2015-2023

  • Grinnell College representatives and alumni gather around Edith and Alice.
  • Monique and Tamara share a moment with Edith in her apartment before the main event.

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.