Grinnell College is marking the loss of its oldest and one of its most celebrated alumni, Edith Renfrow Smith, who died January 2 in Chicago at age 111.
The granddaughter of enslaved people, Renfrow Smith made history in 1937 as Grinnell's first Black female graduate, earning a degree in psychology with a minor in economics. Her groundbreaking achievement came during an era when African American women faced severe barriers to higher education.
The EDU LEDGER chronicled her life story in 2024 when Grinnell dedicated and name its newest residence hall in honor of Renfrow Smith.
"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," Grinnell College President Anne F. Harris said in a statement announcing her passing.
Following graduation, Renfrow Smith built a distinguished career working for the University of Chicago and teaching in the Chicago Public Schools system for more than two decades. Her dedication to education reflected values instilled by her family, who had hosted the Rosenwald Scholars—young Black men who attended Grinnell in the 1920s—for Sunday dinners.
Renfrow Smith's remarkable longevity matched her groundbreaking life. At 108, she was designated a "super ager" in a Northwestern University study recognizing her exceptional memory and cognitive abilities.
The college honored her legacy in multiple ways, including conferring an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 2019 and naming the Smith Gallery in the Joseph Rosenfield '25 Center. In 2024, Grinnell opened Renfrow Hall, a new residence hall celebrating her impact on the college community.
"The world is an immeasurably better place because of Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith's long and remarkable life," Harris said, inviting the community to honor her lasting impact.
Renfrow Smith is survived by her daughter, Alice Frances Smith.
