Making a way to Grinnell College

In February 1982, Grinnell senior Stuart Yeager '82 interviewed Mrs. Renfrow Smith about her college years and life since.  When asked about whether she was "actively recruited by the College at all," she responded,

"Oh, no....  They didn't recruit me at all.  I recruited myself because I ... said that I wasn't going to college unless I'd go to Grinnell College.... I recruited myself.  And Professor Wittler just helped."

Edith Renfrow had the desire and academic ability to attend Grinnell College, but she had come of age during the Great Depression and her family had limited means.  In 1933-34, tuition, room and board, and fees cost $620, and although living at home, she had an annual tuition bill of $275 to pay.  To work her way through school and avoid the low-paying service roles that most Black people had in town, Edith Renfrow delayed her college entrance by a semester and took advanced secretarial courses.  With enhanced typing and dictation skills, she worked as a secretary to the Grinnell College education professor, Milton Wittler, and in the campus duplicating office. With pride, she recalls her skills: taking dictation at 125 words per minute and typing at 60 words per minute.