The Urgency of Action Following Passing of Influencer Jessica Pettway
Post by Adelaide Appiah, Director of Programs
It is deeply saddening to learn of the passing of Jessica Pettway – beauty and fashion influencer, mother, and wife – and the sobering reality her story presents. Jessica’s journey with cervical cancer, misdiagnosed as fibroids, underscores the systemic issues within healthcare, where Black women’s voices are disregarded, and symptoms dismissed. Her story serves as a reminder of the deep consequences that can result from overlooking or misdiagnosing health concerns, especially within communities already facing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.
Jessica’s story and the stories of many Black women who have gone unheard are the reasons why we are passionate about the Breast and Cervical Cancer Initiative (BCCI) at CHC: Creating Healthier Communities. The BCCI amplifies the voices of Black and Latine women and ensures they receive the attention, care, and support they deserve in navigating their healthcare journeys specific to breast and cervical cancer. We are grateful to partner with Center for Black Women’s Wellness and Feminist Women’s Health Center – two community-based organizations comprised of trusted leaders within their community, to implement strategies that uplift the importance of screening, general awareness, and self-advocacy among Black and Latine women seeking care on the cancer continuum.
Jessica’s story reinforces the urgency of our work and underscores the need for greater awareness, advocacy, and action to address the systemic barriers to equitable healthcare for Black women. We honor her memory by remaining steadfast in our efforts to create a healthcare system that listens, respects, and responds to the needs of all individuals, particularly Black women and people from underrepresented communities.
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