A Life of Resilience and Historic Witness: Celebrating Edith Renfrow Smith's Legacy
Edith Renfrow Smith, a remarkable supercentenarian, passed away at the age of 111 in Chicago. Her life spanned over a century of profound societal change, marked by her pioneering spirit as the first Black woman to graduate from Grinnell College in 1937. She dedicated 22 years to teaching in Chicago Public Schools and witnessed pivotal historical moments, meeting influential figures like Amelia Earhart and Martin Luther King Jr., while inspiring future generations, including jazz legend Herbie Hancock.
By Mona Chalabi