The death of midwife Janell Green Smith has ignited a renewed focus on the alarming state of Black maternal health in the United States. Green Smith, a dedicated nurse-midwife and doctor of nursing practice, tragically passed away on January 1, 2024, just days after giving birth to her daughter, Eden. The circumstances surrounding her death have prompted widespread mourning and calls for urgent action to address the systemic issues that contribute to disproportionately high maternal mortality rates among Black women.
Green Smith, 31, had celebrated her pregnancy with enthusiasm, eagerly anticipating the arrival of her child with her husband, Daiquan Smith. The couple’s excitement included a baby shower attended by loved ones in Greenville, South Carolina, where they donned bright pink outfits to mark the occasion. However, the joy turned into tragedy when Green Smith was admitted to the hospital on December 24, 2023, suffering from severe preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy-related condition.
After delivering baby Eden on December 26, complications arose that required emergency surgery. Tragically, Green Smith died less than a week later, leaving her family and community in shock. Although the exact cause of her death has not been confirmed, the statistics surrounding Black maternal health are stark: Black women face a maternal mortality rate of 47.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to the national average of 18.3. This crisis is attributed to factors such as systemic racism, implicit bias, and significant disparities in healthcare access.
Midwife’s Legacy and the Fight for Change
Green Smith’s commitment to improving maternal health outcomes for Black women was evident throughout her career. She entered the field after becoming aware of the alarming statistics regarding Black maternal health. In a video posted on social media in April 2024, she expressed her desire to be part of the solution, stating, “I wanted to do something about it. I wanted to be a part of the solution and step into a role as the provider that would listen to my patients when they said they were in pain.”
Her aunt-by-marriage, Nichole Wardlaw, a fellow nurse-midwife, described Green Smith as a valuable ally in the fight for better maternal health. “Janell was fighting with all of the rest of us who are tired of, day in and day out, looking at these numbers,” she told CNN. “She was my comrade in this fight. And now she is gone.”
Green Smith’s dedication extended beyond her professional role. She was known for her warmth and kindness, approaching her work with compassion and determination. Penelope Bowman, a long-time nurse-midwife, emphasized that Green Smith was deeply involved in the lives of the families she served, demonstrating enthusiasm and care that drew people to her.
Despite her expertise and experience, Green Smith faced the same risks as many other Black mothers. She did not have a midwife present during her own pregnancy, which research indicates can lead to improved birth outcomes. According to Wardlaw, Green Smith would have had to rely on the same practice that employed her, a common conflict of interest for midwives.
Calls for Accountability and Action
The broader implications of Green Smith’s death have resonated widely, prompting national organizations to address the ongoing crisis in Black maternal health. The American College of Nurse-Midwives condemned the systemic failures that contributed to her death, stating, “That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died after giving birth in the United States is both heartbreaking and unacceptable.” The organization emphasized the urgent need for accountability and systemic change.
Similarly, the National Black Nurses Association highlighted the inadequacies in the healthcare system that fail to protect Black women, regardless of their education or professional standing. “Dr. Green Smith’s knowledge did not shield her. Her credentials did not protect her. That reality demands more than reflection; it demands accountability,” they stated.
Tragic incidents highlighting the struggles of Black mothers are not new. Just a month prior, cases of Black mothers facing dismissal or delayed care at hospitals went viral, further emphasizing the urgent need for reform. Dr. Chris T. Pernell, director of the NAACP’s Center for Health Equity, noted that more than 80% of maternal deaths are considered preventable, underlining an urgent call for systemic change.
Green Smith’s legacy, marked by her dedication to maternal health, serves as a reminder of the lives lost due to systemic inequities. As her community mourns, there is a growing demand for action, with Wardlaw poignantly stating, “We cannot continue to lose our women.” The need for comprehensive reform is more pressing than ever, as advocates work to ensure that no more families face the devastation experienced by Green Smith’s loved ones.
