Dr. Janell Green Smith, a 31-year-old Charleston native, midwife, and advocate for maternal health, died on January 1, 2026, from childbirth complications despite her expertise. She developed preeclampsia, underwent a C-section on December 26 to deliver her premature daughter Eden, and later succumbed to an incision rupture and emergency surgery issues. Her death underscores the stark Black maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. and South Carolina.
Maternal Health Crisis
Black women face a maternal death rate of 50.3 per 100,000 live births, over three times higher than 14.5 for white women, per CDC data. South Carolina ranks eighth nationally, with Black rates nearly double those of white women and 90% of cases deemed preventable by state health officials. Discrimination ranked second only to obesity as a factor in pregnancy deaths from 2018-2021.
Green’s Legacy
Green Smith devoted her career to reducing maternal deaths, especially among Black women, through midwifery and advocacy. The National Black Nurses Association called her passing “unacceptable,” noting her credentials offered no protection from systemic failures. Community members and groups like Planned Parenthood mourned her, gathering in Charleston to honor her passion.
Family and Community Impact
Her husband Daiquan shared grief on Instagram, while sister Selina Green highlighted her “tunnel vision” for maternal equity. Baby Eden remains in the NICU, and her family vows to perpetuate Green’s story amid national attention. Her work inspired many, from patients praising her nursing to advocates demanding accountability.
