Edith Renfrow Smith book slated for release this month

​      Edith Renfrow Smith, 109, of Chicago, is shown holding the book, “No One is Better Than You: Edith Renfrow Smith and the Power of a Mother’s Words,” written about her by Monique Shore, seated next to her. Renfrow Smith is the oldest living alumna of Grinnell High School and the first Black women to graduate from Grinnell College in 1937. The college is currently building an apartment-style off-campus dorm that will be named in Renfrow Smith’s honor. Shore started working on the book in January 2022 and the new book will be released later this month. This photo was taken on Saturday, Dec. 2 when Shore and her husband, Craig, traveled to Chicago to show Renfrow Smith the newly published book on her life. Submitted photo.

By Monique Shore and J.O. Parker
 
        Copies of the book “No One is Better Than You: Edith Renfrow Smith and the Power of a Mother’s Words,” written and self-published by Monique McLay Shore of Grinnell, is slated for release this month.
       Edith Renfrow Smith, age 109, was born in Grinnell in 1914 and is the oldest living alumna of both Grinnell High School and Grinnell College. She was the first Black woman to graduate from Grinnell College in 1937 and is the namesake of Renfrow Hall, a four-story, off campus apartment-style residence hall currently under construction at the corner of Broad Street and Sixth Avenue.
        Shore has been involved in research into the Renfrow family the last eight years, starting with her work for the Drake Community Library in Grinnell and growing into a personal passion. She began working on the book in January 2022. 
       “After the announcement of the Renfrow Hall naming, I just felt compelled to explore writing a book about her life,” noted Shore. “Her family story and her bright spirit are so compelling. She inspires everyone she meets and her story really should be known by more people. While drafting the text was relatively straightforward, finding an illustrator and figuring out how to publish a book was a new challenge.”
       Through the Grinnell College alumni community, Shore connected with illustrator Erica L. Butler of Seattle. A friend of a Grinnell College alumni, Butler has a passion for sharing stories of African American history.
        “I've been honored to illustrate the story of Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith,” said Butler. “It was a dream job, partly because her story reflects the experience of many Black families, including my own.”
        After finding an illustrator, Shore’s next step was to get clearance from Mrs. Renfrow Smith. Shore recalls, “Last March we went to Chicago and read the draft of the story to her and her daughter, Alice. I wasn't going to do anything until I knew they liked what I had written. I was so thrilled with her enthusiastic response.” 
      With that blessing, Shore launched a Kickstarter campaign in early April to raise funds to pay for the illustrations and the initial print expenses. The response was overwhelming.
      “I was blown away by the number of people who were excited to help make this project happen,” said Shore. “We met the $10,000 Kickstarter goal in less than four days. More than 120 people contributed to the project, with donations ranging from $5 to more than $2,000.”
           Throughout the process, Shore has shared updates on the book website at Renfrowstory.com.
      “Every couple of weeks I would write about how the illustrations were coming, how Edith and her daughter were staying involved, or other book related info,” she said. “And of course, I included pictures every step of the way.”
       Another alumni benefit came from connecting with Caroline Arnold, class of ‘66, who has published more than 100 books for children.
      “Caroline’s input early on helped me refine the text and make the story more engaging. She also proofread the final version, which was incredibly helpful,” said Shore.
        After 10 months of work and countless virtual meetings with the illustrator and Edith’s daughter, Alice, the book was submitted to the printer on Oct. 31. Shore is working with Print Ninja in Evanston, Ill., but the printing was done in China. Most of the 2,000 copies for the full order are currently in transit by cargo ship. But Shore made room in the budget to have some copies sent by air.
       “I didn't want to wait any longer than possible to get this to Edith,” said Shore. “At age 109, every day counts.”
      The advanced copies arrived at Shore’s home the day after Thanksgiving and Shore immediately made plans to get to Chicago. Traveling with her husband, Craig, they made the delivery on Saturday, Dec. 2. Shore, her husband, Craig, Mrs. Renfrow Smith and her daughter spent the morning looking through every page of the book as they shared joy filled conversation.
      “She is incredibly happy to finally have a book written about her life and the inspiration that her mother passed on,” noted Shore.
Advanced copy
     An advanced copy is now on display at Grinnell’s Pioneer Bookstore. Delivery of copies that will be available for sale is anticipated by mid-January. Retail price is $14.95 for the 60 page book, which also includes several pages of photos and related information about the Renfrow family. You can reserve your copy at tinyurl.com/renfrowbook and will be contacted by the store as soon as copies arrive. Shore hopes to get books into stores in the Chicago area, where Mrs. Renfrow Smith has spent much of her life, after the book arrives. She also hopes to make it available as an ebook. Additional information can be found on the book website at renfrowstory.com.
      Shore can be contacted at [email protected].