The Renfrow Story

I work at Drake Community Library in GrinnelI, Iowa. I lead digital archive projects related to local history through our Poweshiek History Preservation Project. It was through this project that I first met Edith when she was 101 years old. I fell in love with her bright spirit as she shared her family photos and stories and, lucky me, we have been friends ever since. We share a love of our alma mater, Grinnell College, and the delightful community of Grinnell, Iowa.

It has been an incredible blessing to be a part of a group of people who have researched her life and want to share her story. A huge debt goes to Dan Kaiser whose research into the Renfrow family was the impetus for our first contact with Edith. His work includes information on all her family members, as well as many others, and has been published in Grinnell Stories: African Americans of Early Grinnell. Most importantly, it has been my friend Tamara Beauboeuf who has inspired and encouraged me. We share a love for Edith and a passion to bring her the attention and recognition she deserves. Tamara likes to dream big, something that I truly love and that helped seed the idea for this book. Another key partner is the delightful Feven Getachew, a Grinnell College student in the class of ’24, who organized the rededication of the Smith Student Art Gallery and a tribute to Edith in the fall of 2021.

I first came to Grinnell to attend the college in 1986. I fell in love with the town and decided to settle here. I have been incredibly blessed to work at the public library since 1991. I am an active alumni volunteer and a huge supporter of the college and all it brings to the community. There is a symbiotic relationship between the two – each stronger and better because of the other. They are linked in my mind, all of the good things and the challenging things woven together, making a stronger bond because of the complexity and nuance of their history together. I love them both equally. And this seems to be true for Edith as well.

In December of 2022, Grinnell College announced their newest residence building would be named Renfrow Hall. I will never forget the meeting Tamara and I had with President Anne Harris when that idea was first hatched. President Harris has been a huge supporter of all of our work related to Edith. When I shared the idea of this book with her she again offered enthusiastic support, as did the other members of her team. The staff of the alumni office has also been a great. I look forward to ways we can work together to share Edith’s story far and wide. I am especially grateful for Mary Zug who is not only my main contact as an alumni volunteer, but also a wonderful friend offering encouragement and joy throughout this process.

I’ve been blessed by a growing friendship with Edith’s daughter, Alice, who helps to coordinate our visits and communications with her mom. Seeing her joy as her mom is celebrated – something Alice knows better than any of us is long overdue – makes this journey all the better.

Two things I want to make clear from the beginning. First, I am in regular communication with Edith and her daughter Alice. I promise to never do anything that they don’t approve or that makes either of them uncomfortable in any way. Second, any profits that may come from this project will be used to support Renfrow related funds at the college and in the community that mean so much to both Edith and me. As with everything else, those decisions will be made after conversation with Edith and Alice as long as they are around for those conversations.

And last, but certainly not least, I am forever grateful to my husband Craig for his unending support and encouragement. And to my beautiful daughter Moraine, also now a Grinnell College alumni, for the joy she brings to each day.