Janell Green Smith, a certified nurse-midwife from Charleston, South Carolina, who dedicated her career to addressing the black maternal health crisis, tragically died from childbirth complications shortly after giving birth to her first child, a daughter.
Smith, affectionately known as the “Loc’d Midwife” for her distinctive dreadlocks, delivered over 200 babies during her career while mentoring future midwives at a community birth centre, according to People.
She was a passionate advocate for equitable maternal care, particularly for Black women, who face pregnancy-related mortality rates three times higher than other races.
Certified in 2021 and earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2024, Smith was known for emphasising patient-centred care, especially for women whose pain is often overlooked.
She worked tirelessly at Charleston’s birth centre, providing prenatal care, attending deliveries, guiding postpartum recovery, and educating patients about medical warning signs.
Through the Hive Impact Fund app, she supported Black Maternal Health Week and amplified resources for underserved families.
After losing her mother in 2023, she temporarily paused her studies but remained committed to addressing systemic inequities.
The American College of Nurse-Midwives described her death as “a profound failure of systems meant to protect birthing people,” highlighting the persistent role of systemic racism even for highly educated healthcare professionals.
Human rights groups, including In Our Own Voice, have condemned the “deeply broken and racist system” that fails Black women.
Netizens have equally reacted to her death, expressing shock and grief.
Instagram user @the_duval_diva wrote: “This reality hit a sore spot, bless that child and all those she brought into this world. May she find peace.”
Another, @elcoyoten3gro, added: “Thank you for all the lives you have helped transition into this world.”
Smith’s death has reignited national calls for better monitoring, standardised care, and postpartum support for women of all backgrounds.
Vigils in Charleston mourned her life, with the community pledging to raise her daughter in her honour.
Colleagues remember Dr. Smith not only as a clinician but as an educator and mentor whose life, tragically cut short, exposed the fractures in U.S. healthcare.
Her legacy continues through the lives she touched, the newborn she left behind, and the ongoing fight for equitable maternal care.