Edith Renfrow Smith was born in Grinnell, Iowa in 1914 and in 1937 beame the Blac oman to graduate from Grinnell College. The fifth of six children, her family has deep roots in Iowa and an inspiring story. Her granfather, George Craig, escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad, traveling with John Brown in 1859 through Iowa, and even staying in Grinnell for two nights, the town where he would later settle with his family. Her, mother, Eva Pearl Renfrow, knew wthat education was the one thing that would help her children overcom the obstacle of racism and poverty. Each of her six children graduated from college during the 1920's and 1930's and went on to impressive careers. Hellen Renfrow Lemme, the oldest child, even has an elementary school named afer her in Iowa City.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.