Edith Renfrow Smith, a rare “supercentenarian,” recently celebrated her 110th birthday, making her the Chicago Teacher Pension Fund’s (CTPF’s) oldest member. Born on July 14, 1914, in Grinnell, Iowa, Edith Renfrow Smith made history as the first black woman to graduate from Grinnell College in 1937. Her journey was marked by resilience, determination, and breaking barriers.
Edith, her parents, and her five siblings, were one of the few black families living in Grinnell, Iowa. The Renfrow family held education, community, and equality in the highest regard. Her grandfather’s escape from slavery through the Underground Railroad in 1859, aided by abolitionist John Brown, and that legacy left a lasting mark on her family. Despite the challenges they faced, Edith’s childhood was imbued with determination and a thirst for knowledge.
Edith’s graduation from Grinnell College was a historic achievement. She majored in psychology with minors in economics and sociology. In 2019, at 105, she was given an honorary degree from Grinnell College. In September, Edith plans to return to Grinnell College for the opening of Renfrow Hall, a dorm which will be named in her honor, and she already has a gallery at Grinnell named for her.
After graduating in 1937, Edith moved to Chicago where she worked for the Young Women’s Christian Association, operating a switchboard, and helping to find jobs for women in need. She was also employed as the secretary of Oscar DePriest, Chicago’s first black alderman. Her career as an elementary school teacher at Chicago Public Schools began in 1955 and lasted 21 years. After her retirement in 1976, Edith kept busy volunteering at Goodwill and the Art Institute of Chicago until she was 98.
Edith’s love for baking pies, rooted in cherished memories, continues to bring her joy even at 110 years old. In her interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, as Edith is baking a sour cherry pie for herself, she recalls her father planting a sour cherry tree in their yard in Iowa, as well as planting peaches, plums, gooseberries, currants, and grapes. During the interview, she reflects on her life and leaves readers with some parting thoughts, “Take what you have, make use of it, and be thankful for what you have. Don’t let life pass you by. Remember, this is your life. It’s wonderful to live long enough to enjoy just being here.”
Edith Renfrow Smith’s journey embodies resilience and purpose. From her groundbreaking graduation at Grinnell College to her impactful teaching career, she has left an indelible mark on history. CTPF honors her legacy and the barriers she broke. Edith’s story not only redefines retirement but also redefines what it means to age gracefully and purposefully.