The sudden death of Janell Green Smith, a dedicated midwife in South Carolina, has sparked widespread mourning and renewed focus on the alarming disparities in Black maternal health. Green Smith, who had participated in over 300 births and was passionate about improving outcomes for Black mothers, tragically passed away just days after giving birth to her daughter, Eden, on December 26, 2023. Her death, attributed to severe complications following childbirth, underscores a national health crisis affecting Black women.
Green Smith, 31, was admitted to the hospital on Christmas Eve after developing severe preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy-related condition. Two days later, she successfully delivered her baby but faced complications that led to emergency surgery. Her family reported that despite initial success, Green Smith’s condition deteriorated, ultimately resulting in her passing on January 1, 2024. The precise cause of her death remains unconfirmed.
Statistics reveal a stark reality: Black women in the United States face significantly higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the maternal mortality rate for Black women stands at 47.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to a national average of 18.3 deaths. This alarming statistic highlights the systemic issues that continue to plague maternal healthcare, including racism and disparities in medical care.
A Legacy of Advocacy and Care
Green Smith’s journey into midwifery was driven by her desire to combat these troubling statistics. In an Instagram video from April 2024, she expressed her commitment to being a voice for her patients and ensuring they received the care they deserved. Her aunt, Nichole Wardlaw, a fellow midwife, described her as “my comrade in this fight,” emphasizing the loss felt by the community.
Despite her expertise, Green Smith did not have a midwife present during her own pregnancy. This lack of support is not uncommon, as many midwives prefer not to attend births within their own practices to avoid conflicts of interest. Family members recounted that when Green Smith was admitted for her emergency C-section, her condition was critical. While baby Eden was delivered safely, the complications during Green Smith’s recovery were severe and ultimately led to her death.
Calls for Accountability and Change
Green Smith’s death has sent shockwaves through her community and has drawn attention from national health organizations. The American College of Nurse-Midwives issued a statement expressing heartbreak over her passing, stating, “That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died after giving birth in the United States is both heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
Similarly, the National Black Nurses Association highlighted the grim reality that even those with extensive knowledge and credentials are not immune to the systemic failures that contribute to high maternal mortality rates. “Her credentials did not protect her,” they stated, calling for urgent accountability and reform in maternal healthcare.
Green Smith’s death comes on the heels of public outcry following two incidents involving Black mothers facing inadequate care at hospitals, highlighting a persistent pattern of neglect. Dr. Chris T. Pernell, director of the NAACP’s Center for Health Equity, noted that more than 80% of maternal deaths are preventable, yet the necessary will to address these issues remains elusive.
The community has responded to Green Smith’s death with vigils in both Greenville and Charleston, where she was from. These gatherings have attracted midwives, former patients, and family members, all united in grief and a shared mission to advocate for change in maternal health care.
Wardlaw, feeling a mix of grief and anger, underscored the urgency of addressing these systemic issues. “We cannot continue to lose our women,” she stated, emphasizing the need for action to prevent future tragedies. As the community mourns the loss of a passionate advocate, the call for reform in maternal health care grows louder, demanding systemic changes to protect Black mothers and ensure that their lives are valued and safeguarded.