Tori Bowie: Black mothers deserve better

The passing of American track and field athlete and Olympic medalist Tori Bowie in April of 2023 was a truly devastating loss felt by millions around the world. Bowie, only 32 years old, died due to complications with childbirth, and was eight months pregnant at the time of her passing. Bowie was undergoing labor when she died, according to the autopsy report drafted by Associate Medical Examiner Chantel Njiwaji. 

Njiwaji cited eclampsia, a disorder related to high blood pressure and seizures, as a possible complication. Black Americans are at a higher risk of eclampsia, which is one contributor to the elevated mortality rates of Black mothers and newborns. Black Americans are also at a higher risk for preeclampsia, a milder development of high blood pressure, during and after pregnancy. Several high-profile Black female celebrities have experienced preeclampsia, such as Serena Williams and Beyoncé. 

Tori Bowie did everything right. She was in the shape of her life, with access to a support system in her teammates. She had a bright future ahead of her, as did her baby, who was never even given a chance to experience life. Bowie’s tragic story is one that is representative of the larger American issue that is Black maternal health. Systematic racism and insufficient resources to aid Black women before, during and after pregnancy are at the root of this matter, and it is time to address it and instigate change.

(Quinn Rooney/Getty Image)

The Way Forward

Tori Bowie has been a trailblazer in the world of sports, a gifted and hard-working athlete, and a symbol of determination, mental fortitude, and strength. The American healthcare system failed her, as it has failed so many other Black mothers and women. It is crucial that real change arrives soon so that Black women can live in a world where they can go through pregnancy without fearing for their lives. Share Bowie’s story, and the stories of others who were wronged by systemic racism in the healthcare industry. Continue to speak about the need to improve Black maternal wellness and dismantle health disparities. Advocate for policy change. Together, we can create a more equal, safe and secure world for the women of America.