In the twilight of March, as the world pays homage to the indomitable essence of women during International Women’s Month, the airwaves of 90.3 FM KFAI serve as an outlet for the wisdom and experiences of Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith, a living testament to resilience and fortitude. Joined by her daughter, Alice Smith, age 78, who actively supports her centenarian mother, the Conversation with Al McFarlane, hosted by Al McFarlane and Dr. Irma McClaurin, Mrs Edith Renfrow Smith reflected on her extraordinary journey – one marked by perseverance and a steadfast commitment to education.
Says Dr. McClaurin, “I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Renfrow Smith in Chicago while I was at my alma mater for a month residency.” Mrs. Smith’s vitality belies her age of over a century, McClaurin said. At that visit, “Having spent about four hours with her, [at the end] I was tired and she was ready to keep going.”
Against this backdrop of history and personal connection, Dr. McClaurin’s wrote a poem as a lyrical tribute to the resilience and wisdom of Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith:
When Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith Speaks, the Voice of Our Elders Ring Clear (excerpt)
…Meeting her in 2024/ has lifted me up/
made me realize/that I can partake/
as a Black alumna, / Class of 1973, /in the Grinnell College legacy. /
It is mine to claim/ now that I know/
that people like Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith/
came before me, /and that Black families once thrived/
in the town of Grinnell. / Her legacy of belonging in Iowa/
is now mine to claim. / Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith/
has become an anchor, / my anchor, /
of Black pride/and resilience. /
Her message, “not mine to carry,”/
is an inspiration for me, / for Black Grinnell students/
and Black Grinnell alum/today and tomorrow. /
Her story lets us know, /whether we stand/
as one or many, / we have every right/
to be in this space/called Grinnell College. /
We belong here, / if we have the courage/
to believe/ that it is our Legacy to claim. /
She is also the touchstone/ for ALL Grinnellians
to feel they belong. ©Irma McClaurin
Mrs. Smith’s reminiscences offer a poignant window into the trials and tribulations of her upbringing in Grinnell, Iowa. “Ever watch people look at you like you’re strange?” she reflects, her words tinged with the weight of lived experience. This moving reflection encapsulates the isolation and alienation she felt as the one of the few Black families in her community, shedding light on the harsh realities of racial segregation in early 20th-century America.
Amidst the shadows of this discrimination, Mrs. Smith found solace in the embrace of family and community. “My mother’s close relatives, we were all together within one block of each other,” she recalls, her voice suffused with warmth and nostalgia. These bonds of kinship served as pillars of support, providing a sense of belonging amidst the agitated landscape of prejudice and discrimination.
The conversation pivots to Mrs. Smith’s transformative years at Grinnell College, where she found acceptance and camaraderie among the student body. “Grinnell College students were the ones that were playing with us, teaching us games,” she reminisces, her voice brimming with fond memories. This glimpse into her collegiate experience underscores the transformative power of education in fostering empathy and understanding across cultural divides.
After graduating, Mrs. Smith ventured to Chicago in search of opportunity amidst the Great Depression. Against the backdrop of the world’s longest and greatest economic recession periods, Mrs. Smith’s journey was an auspicious one, as the roads she ventured on led her to a successful path. “We came and all 12 of us got a job,” she reflects, her words resonating with the tenacity and resourcefulness that defined her generation. These words are even more resonant she confesses that “There were no jobs,” thus making her story a testament to the bravery of the human spirit in the face of adversity, offering hope and inspiration to future generations.
As a teacher, Mrs. Smith dedicated over two decades to shaping young minds, leaving an enduring mark on generations of students. “The master teacher had to introduce many of these young teachers to their children,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding in education. Her commitment to providing a nurturing environment for learning speaks to the transformative impact of dedicated educators in shaping the trajectory of young lives.
Mrs. Smith reflects on her own “master teacher”, a woman who she cites as the most influential woman in her life—Dr. Connor, a teacher at Grinnell College who ignited her passion for learning. Through her mentorship, Dr. Connor instilled within Mrs. Smith a love of knowledge that would shape her journey for years to come.
Throughout her journey, Mrs. Smith drew strength from the timeless wisdom imparted by her mother, Ms. Eva Pearl. “When you go to school, you don’t know very much and children laugh at you. But mother always taught us before we left home, you are the most important person in the world. There’s no one like you. Nobody … Nobody is more beautiful … But no one is better than you. There is one Edith Smith, and she is it”. These words of encouragement instilled within her a sense of self-worth and heroism, guiding her through life’s trials and tribulations.
“Thank you for making me a part of the world,” Mrs Smith murmured, her voice filled with a quiet grace, as the conversation concluded. And in that moment, amidst the loudness many of voices, hers stood out as a clarion call to embrace the fullness of our humanity – a timeless reminder that in the drapery of life, each thread is precious, each voice, invaluable.
For the full interview with Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith, Dr. Irma McClaurin and Dr. Tamara Beauboeuf, visit The Conversation with Al McFarlane on @insightnewsmn or Insight News MN YouTube: (https://bit.ly/renfrowinterview).
