PHOTOS: Edith Renfrow Smith `37 honored in Grinnell

The two-day celebration of Edith Renfrow Smith `37 began Friday, Sept. 27, with the Welcome to Grinnell Parade and a community celebration in Central Park. Hundreds of people lined up along Broad Street and 8th Avenue as Renfrow Smith passed by in a red convertible driven by Grinnell councilmember Jim White, waving at all of her supporters as they welcomed her home. Renfrow Smith attended Grinnell High School before becoming the first Black woman to graduate from Grinnell College in 1937. The College’s new dormitory building on Broad Street is named Renfrow Hall in her honor and will be dedicated on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Edith Renfrow Smith holds up her hand to acknowledge her supporters during the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Davis Elementary students line Broad Street, cheering as Edith Renfrow Smith passes by in a convertible during the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Community members sit on their lawn and wave to Edith Renfrow Smith as she passes by during the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Members of the Grinnell community line Broad Street as Edith Renfrow Smith passes by during the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)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)Edith Renfrow Smith looks at Renfrow Hall, named in her honor, as construction workers watch her pass by during the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Grinnell College faculty and staff wave pom-poms in celebration of Edith Renfrow Smith during the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Edith Renfrow Smith waves to students, faculty, staff and community members as they gather and cheer outside the Joe Rosenfield `25 Center during the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Students gather around the convertible carrying Edith Renfrow Smith as she prepares to step out of the car after the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Edith Renfrow Smith smiles as she is greeted after the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Jim White, right, prepares to help Edith Renfrow Smith out of the convertible after the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Alice Frances Smith, the daughter of Edith Renfrow Smith, left, smiles while greeting people after the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Valeriya Woodard `25, right, wipes away a tear after hugging Edith Renfrow Smith at the end of the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Jim White, left, helps Edith Renfrow Smith out of the convertible after the Welcome to Grinnell Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Community members listen to FunkDaddies perform covers in celebration of Edith Renfrow Smith in Central Park on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Anastasia and Angelina Neal, both great-great-grandnieces of Edith Renfrow Smith, dance near the stage while listening to FunkDaddies perform in Central Park on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)Anastasia and Angelina Neal, both great-great-grandnieces of Edith Renfrow Smith, pose for a photo after a concert by FunkDaddies in Central Park on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (Zach Spindler-Krage)