Dr. Janell Green Smith, a 31-year-old Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in Charleston, South Carolina, tragically died on January 2, 2026, during the birth of her first child. The community gathered Wednesday evening with candles, flowers, and prayers to honor her profound impact on maternal health, especially for Black women. She leaves behind her husband, Daiquan, and her newborn baby.
Her Lifelong Dedication
Green overcame personal losses—her father in 2020 and mother in 2022—to earn her doctorate and become a midwife. She worked with the Hive Impact Fund, advocating against childbirth disparities for Black women. The organization vowed on social media to continue her mission: “She dedicated her life’s work to… actively working to dismantle them as a health professional.”
Her passion stemmed from a desire to provide compassionate care, as she shared online: she aimed to listen to patients, make them comfortable, and address systemic issues head-on.
Broader Maternal Health Crisis
The National Black Nurses Association called her death “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” spotlighting persistent racial disparities. CDC 2023 data shows Black women faced a mortality rate of 50.3 per 100,000 live births—over three times higher than White women (14.5), and far above Hispanic (12.4) or Asian (10.7) rates.
Factors include unequal healthcare quality, chronic conditions, and social determinants like economic barriers. Green’s story underscores the urgency for change, even for educated professionals like her.
This loss resonates deeply in Charleston, where community ties run strong. Local memorials or Hive Impact Fund events might offer ways to contribute—have you attended similar gatherings, or are you looking for ways to support maternal health initiatives here?
