Sternfeld, Edith A. (Edith Alice), 1898-1990

Edith Alice Sternfeld was born September 26, 1898, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Samuel Sternfeld and Alice Ellen Brady Sternfeld. Sternfeld attended Nicholas Senn High School, on Chicago's north side, from 1913-1917, graduating in 1917. At the time of Sternfeld's registration to Northwestern University, in September 1917, her guardian was Miss Emma A. Brady, her mother's sister, since both of her parents were deceased. Her church affiliation was Episcopal.

While at Northwestern University, Sternfeld was an active member of the Young Women's Christian Association, Chi Omega, a women's social sorority, the women's honorary sororities of Phi Beta Kappa and Shi-Ai, the women's Inter-Sorority of Sigma Sigma, and the Laurean Literary Society, as well as various art groups. She graduated from the Northwestern University College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, in June 1921.

For one year following graduation from Northwestern, Sternfeld did office work, then was accepted to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1923, receiving a Bachelor of Art Education (BAE) in 1925. From 1925-1930 Sternfeld taught at the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1930 she accepted the position of Assistant Professor in the Design and Painting Department at Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa. From 1939 through 1941 Sternfeld attended the University of Iowa, in the summers, earning her Master of Art (MA) in 1941. Sternfeld traveled extensively throughout the world during sabbaticals and with International Study Tours. She exhibited her art nationally, winning several awards, and was active in professional arts organizations, such as the American Water Color Society, Baltimore Water Color Club, Washington Water Color Club (Corcoran Gallery of Art), and the California Water Color Society (Los Angeles Museum). At the time of her retirement from Grinnell in 1967, she was the Chairman of the Department of Art. After her retirement, she moved to Santa Barbara, California. Edith Sternfeld died on September 5, 1990.

From the guide to the Edith A. Sternfeld (1898-1990) Scrapbook, 1917-1921, (Northwestern University Archives)