02/06/2026
Dr. Susan Smith McKinney-Steward was practicing public health before it even had a name.
She was an early and powerful advocate for prenatal care, preventive medicine, and community health at a time when Black women and families were routinely denied access to basic medical services. Dr. McKinney-Steward understood that caring for women before illness, especially during pregnancy. It was essential to save lives.
Her work reminds us of a truth that still holds today:
Preventive care saves lives, but only when access exists.
At BWHI, our policy work continues this legacy by pushing for systems that prioritize prevention, early care, and equity, so no one has to wait until a crisis to be seen or supported.
This is Black history.
This is public health.
And this is the foundation of the fight for equitable care.
Want to learn more or get involved?
Explore BWHI’s health policy pillars and find ways to engage, bwhi.org/policy-research
