Abide Women’s Health Services Launches Mobile Clinic in Fort Worth to Expand Access to Maternal Healthcare
Cessilye Smith is the founder and CEO of Abide Women’s Health Services. She is an anti-racist maternal justice activist, speaker, and educator.
Cessilye R. Smith is the visionary, founder, and CEO of Abide Women’s Health Services, dedicated to transforming birth outcomes in underserved communities. Abide provides accessible, holistic, evidence-based healthcare and support services, all while fostering a judgment-free environment.
Under Cessilye’s leadership, Abide Women’s Health Services, established in 2017 in South Dallas, has become a pivotal force in maternal justice. Since achieving 501(c)3 status in 2018, the organization has earned recognition as a Perinatal Safe Spot, an Accredited Easy Access Clinic through Commonsense Childbirth Inc., and is set to open a new birth center. Cessilye’s vision extends to honoring the legacy of Black midwives and expanding their role in the community, as evidenced by the ten scholarships awarded to student midwives of color.
In her role at this innovative nonprofit, Cessilye manages diverse responsibilities, including major fundraising efforts such as a $2.5 million capital campaign, operations, and program development. With two decades of leadership experience and over a decade as a maternal and racial justice activist, Cessilye’s personal challenges with conception and pregnancy deeply fuel her commitment to justice and systemic change. Her work is guided by the principles of Rest, Resist, and Restore.
Her impactful work has been recognized and featured on ABC News Nightline, the Center for Public Justice, and numerous podcasts and media outlets, including Dallas Morning News, Black Enterprise, Sojourners Magazine, and KevinMD. Abide was awarded the 2020 Non-Profit of the Year Award (micro) by D CEO Magazine. Cessilye received an honorable mention for the 2020 Juanita Craft Humanitarian Visionary Award, served as a fellow with the 2021 Rising Leader Fellowship from Sojourners, and was named a Public Voices Fellow by The OpEd Project in 2022. She also serves on various committees, including the Best Southwest Partnership and the 2024 Birth Center Week Committee.
In May 2024, Cessilye and Abide were honored with multiple awards at The Pitch, presented by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, including the Audience Choice Award, Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, and Social Innovator of the Year.
Though she wears many titles—Founder, CEO, advocate—Cessilye ultimately defines herself as a legacy builder and a fearless disruptor, driven by a singular mission: to liberate those bound by mental and spiritual chains and ignite lasting transformation for generations to come. For more information about Cessilye, visit her Facebook, Instagram, or website.
