"Dr." Edith Renfrow Smith
On May 20, 2019, just shy of her 105th birthday, Edith Renfrow Smith received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from her alma mater. Standing tall, the elder walked unassisted to the podium and was radiant when the graduates and audience spontaneously gave her a 20-second standing ovation. Watch her remarks to fellow Grinnellians here.
For Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith, creating positive community remains an important part of her life:
“Each day, 'I say, ‘Where am I going today? What do I want to cook today? What book am I going to find?’ See, I always have something I’d like to do…. See, we, each of us has a responsibility. We have a responsibility. If I can do something today to make you change and feel better about you and about that person, then I have had a good day. If I can’t help you, then I have spent a rotten day.”