Institutionalizing a legacy: The Dedication of Renfrow Hall

Edith Renfrow Smith smiles near the conclusion of the Renfrow Hall Dedication Ceremony, Saturday, September 28, 2024.  Photo courtesy of Zach Spindler-Krage.

Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith returned to her hometown and alma mater for the two-day Renfrow Hall Dedication Weekend, September 27 and 28, 2024.  The namesake was in attendance with her daughter Alice Frances Smith, along with about 50 extended family members who are descendants of Gemima Craig (1795-1896), Theodora Craig Lucas (1864-1947), and Eva Pearl Craig Renfrow (1875-1962).

The week opened with “Rooted in resilience: Celebrating the legacy of Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith” by Team Renfrow member Valeriya Woodard ’25.  Displayed in the Edith Renfrow Smith ’37 Student Art Gallery, Woodard’s photographic exhibition offered a moving familial and institutional view of the elder’s groundbreaking and nine decades as an alumna.  

Valeriya Woodard '25 wipes a tear after the Dedication Weekend parade honoring Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith, the namesake of Renfrow Hall.

Her resilience has transcended generations and lives on in Team Renfrow.  Renfrow Hall cements her importance to this town and college, but we must continue to honor her and other Black alumni of this institution.

Valeriya Woodard '25, Team Renfrow

Feven Getachew '24, the first student Team Renfrow member, takes in the exhibition, Rooted in Resilience: Celebrating the legacy of Edith Renfrow Smith '37 exhibition by Valeriya Woodard '25. Photo by Zach Spindler-Krage.

Woodard also designed a “Walk a mile in her shoes” to provide Dedication Weekend attendees with a felt sense of the route a teenaged Edith Renfrow took daily from 1933-1937.  The shortest path from her home at 411 1st Avenue to Grinnell College took the groundbreaker through alleys connecting the homes of extended family or what Woodard terms Renfrow’s “tunnel of love.” 

With Mrs. Renfrow Smith present, festivities began on Friday morning with a city parade.  Riding in a red convertible through Grinnell, Mrs. Renfrow Smith was warmly and enthusiastically greeted by schoolchildren carrying handdrawn signs welcoming her home, percussionists from the Grinnell High School Band, townspeople of all ages, and members of the Grinnell College community.

Students at Davis Elementary carry a sign addressed to Edith Renfrow Smith as they prepare for the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)

After touring the new student residence, Miss Alice Frances Smith expressed much optimism for the community building it will foster: “That building is so inspirational.  It will inspire students and anyone to do stuff for others.”  A retired middle school teacher from Grinnell powerfully summarized the weekend’s broad impact on the town stating, “Grinnell changed a little bit that day … for the better.”

Explore more below:

  • Alumni Affairs' photo essay of Renfrow Hall Dedication Weekend
  • The Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, September 28, 2024
  • Scarlet & Black editor-in-chief Zach Spindler-Krage’s visual overview of the historic weekend
  • An overview of Renfrow Hall with commentary from student members of Team Renfrow
  • Images from Grinnell College photographer, Justin Hayworth
  • We Are Iowa Local 5 news story

Renfrow Hall Dedication