Jaidyn Smith

Why continuing an education is so important to her:

"Continuing my education is important to me because it represents both personal growth and my family’s progress across generations. Three generations ago, my great-grandparents worked as peach pickers in South Carolina, where opportunities were limited, and higher education was often out of reach. My grandparents lived through school integration, witnessing barriers begin to break down and new opportunities become available. Because of their sacrifices, I now have the opportunity to attend Spelman College and pursue my dream of becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner. 

Earning a degree will equip me with the knowledge and skills to care for mothers and infants and make a meaningful impact in healthcare. My own experiences navigating chronic kidney disease showed me how life-changing compassionate healthcare can be and inspired me to pursue nursing. As a future neonatal nurse practitioner, I hope to help address the disproportionately high maternal mortality rates that affect women of color by providing compassionate, equitable care and advocating for better health outcomes for mothers and their babies. 

Continuing my education is also about my family. By attending an HBCU, I am helping create a new legacy rooted in education, opportunity, and achievement. My journey reflects how far my family has come, from working in peach fields to pursuing higher education. I hope to honor the sacrifices of previous generations while inspiring future generations to dream even bigger."

Jaidyn proudly supports:

Spring Valley High School F.I.E.R.C.E

Spring Valley High School Key Club

Spring Valley High School Student Council

Nephrotic Syndrome Foundation

Black Women & Girls Conference

BLK Maternal Health Collective

Jaidyn, describe something that is plaguing young women today and explain what can be done to turn it around? What can you do to help?  

“One issue that is plaguing young women today is the lack of adequate care for women of color in the healthcare system, which contributes to the wide gap in maternal mortality rates between women of color and white women. This disparity is often fueled by a lack of education about medical history and a tendency for patients’ concerns to be dismissed instead of fully heard and believed. Too often, authority is prioritized over lived experience, even when warning signs are present, creating a cycle where women are repeatedly overlooked and underserved.

This pattern creates a system of inequity in which the most vulnerable patients are often the least protected. My own experience with chronic kidney disease reflects this issue, as my symptoms were repeatedly dismissed and attributed to allergies despite lab results showing something more serious. It took the insight of an intern to recognize the severity of my condition and recommend immediate care, leading to my diagnosis. Even after seeing a nephrologist, I continued to face blame for not improving, as if I were not taking my medication, even though that was not the case.

These experiences have shown me how intimidating healthcare settings can feel, especially for young women of color who may already feel unheard. That is why I want to create programs and provide free tools that help women feel more confident walking into hospital visits, such as guides on how to advocate for themselves, what questions to ask, and how to understand their symptoms and rights as patients. By equipping women with knowledge and confidence, I hope to help close the gap in communication that often leads to misdiagnosis and delayed care. Ultimately, I am committed to becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner who not only provides care, but also empowers patients to speak up, be heard, and receive the treatment they deserve from the very beginning.”