On Friday, January 2, 2026, Dr. Janelle Green Smith died from complications during the birth of her first child in South Carolina. Dr. Green Smith was a Black midwife, an esteemed Doctor of Nursing Practice, and an advocate for maternal health and midwifery. Dr. Green Smith’s death joins the many who have fallen victim to the Black maternal health crisis in the United States. She suffered at the hands of the same system she worked tirelessly to reform. In addition to being a certified midwife and nurse in the state, Dr. Green Smith worked with the Hive Impact Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting “parents during early childhood by offering, with dignity, tangible resources and accessible education to ease stress and strengthen families” through low-cost mental health services. As an advocate, Dr. Green Smith “wanted to be a part of the solution” in health care by truly listening to the needs and concerns of her patients. Dr. Green Smith would go above and beyond to ensure her patients were comfortable and supported through pregnancy, labor, and into their next steps as parents. Despite all of her efforts rooted in patient-centered care, the Black maternal health crisis did not bypass the life of the midwife (you can read the full article at the link below):
https://feminist.org/news/black-maternal-health-crisis-continues-to-plague-the-united-states/
