Grinnell College Mourns the Passing of a Legendary Alumna

Dear alumni, students, faculty, and staff,

I write today to share the sad news of the passing of one of Grinnell College's most inspiring and beloved alumni: Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith ’37, DHL ’19. She was 111 years of age when she died on Friday, January 2, in Chicago.

For the many Grinnellians who knew Mrs. Renfrow Smith personally, as well as the countless others who were inspired by her remarkable life as a Grinnellian who strived always to serve the common good and to live life to the fullest, her passing holds great meaning.

My most sincere condolences are extended to Mrs. Renfrow Smith's family – in particular her daughter Miss Alice Frances Smith – and friends, and to all who were touched by her. I hope that you can take solace in knowing that her life was rich not only in years, but also in the blessings of family and the multitude of people who cherished her and will continue to celebrate her life.

Mrs. Renfrow Smith will always hold a special place in Grinnellian hearts for her steadfastness and perseverance, her brilliance, and her belief that we can do better.

Her sense of what was right and possible was sustained by her family’s belief in the inherent dignity of every individual and their embrace of the importance of education. Those values were lived out in the Renfrow family’s support of the young Black men known as the Rosenwald Scholars, who attended Grinnell in the 1920s and ate Sunday dinners with her family. She worked hard to uphold those values for herself, when despite many daunting challenges she became Grinnell’s first Black female graduate in 1937. They were values she manifested quietly yet deeply in her life roles as a wife and mother, teacher, and community leader, and in her legacy as an example for the generations of Grinnellians who came – and will come – after her.

Thanks to Louise R. Noun ’29 Chair in Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies Professor Tamara Beauboeuf-Lafontant and a group of students and alumni known as Team Renfrow, Grinnellians around the globe now know her story. This tremendous group of dedicated scholars, with the unfailing support of her daughter Miss Alice Frances Smith, has been instrumental in documenting the scope of her extraordinary life. Valeriya Woodard ‘25 is now expanding on this vital work as the first Public History Collective Fellow at the College, continuing to research, engage, and lift up the experiences and legacies of Black Grinnellians as they continue to shape and enduringly create Grinnell College.

It is deeply good that so many have come to witness the legacy of Mrs. Renfrow Smith, and that the College has worked – and will continue to work – to find meaningful ways to honor her. Especially in recent years, those honors were celebrated through such acts as naming and rededicating the Smith Gallery exhibition space in the Joseph Rosenfield ‘25 Center; conferring an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the 2019 Commencement; and ultimately dedicating Renfrow Hall, which, as a nexus of community and College engagement exemplifies the core of the College’s mission and the impact of Mrs. Renfrow Smith’s life and legacy.

Mrs. Renfrow Smith’s positivity made her a wonderful friend to so many, and her smile could light up any gathering. I join the many, many people who were so very fortunate to have spent time in her generous company and will be forever grateful for her willingness to share her joy and insights both in private gatherings and at public events.

The Chicago Sun-Times published a tribute to Mrs. Renfrow Smith in its national edition that you can read here. You are invited to share tributes to Mrs. Renfrow Smith’s legacy as a beloved Grinnell icon and cherished member of our community by visiting the College’s Remembering Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith ’37, DHL ’19 webpage.

The world is an immeasurably better place because of Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith’s long and remarkable life. Her passing calls on us to live in her legacy and honor the lasting impact that she had and will continue to have for all Grinnellians. I invite you to continue to learn from the work of Team Renfrow and the Public History Collective and, when on campus, to spend time in the public hallways of Renfrow Hall on the building’s south side where you will see images, texts, and quotations from Mrs. Renfrow Smith’s vibrant life that will inspire you to further honor and learn from her life.

With gratitude,

Anne

Anne F. Harris
Grinnell College President