North Texas mother advocates for Black maternal health following daughter's death
A North Texas mother is speaking out for the first time about the death of her 26-year-old daughter last fall.
Her daughter, Tierra Jackson, died suddenly last November, just days after giving birth to her third child.
"There are a lot of sleepless nights," said Nicole Berryman, Tierra's mother.
Seeking answers after loss
She said she's still struggling with the loss of Tierra.
"All she did was smile," she said. "I would say she's the perfect mother."
Berryman said her daughter was struggling with chest pain days after giving birth to her third child and was re-admitted to the hospital. Days later, she died from natural causes, according to the medical examiner.
"I just keep reliving that day. Every time I open my eyes. I need answers," Berryman said.
Sister's heartfelt grief
One of Tierra's four sisters, Alexus Morris, cried alongside her mother, admitting her sister's death has been a tragedy for the whole family.
"It's like we were robbed, to say the least. We were robbed of our sister and her daughter's life," she told CBS News Texas.
Addressing healthcare inequities
Tierra's death recently caught the attention of local organizations like Viola's House and United Way of Dallas, prompting a larger conversation about maternal healthcare for Black mothers.
Viola's House led a panel discussion Tuesday in partnership with Parkland Hospital and United Way, addressing alarming trends, including a recent CDC report that shows Black women are 3.5 times more likely than White women to experience a pregnancy-related death.
"I never heard so much about Black women passing away after having babies. We're giving our lives to bring a baby into the world," Berryman said.
Mother's legacy lives
Tierra's three young children are now left to grow up without her, having to attend their mom's funeral just weeks before Christmas. The family hopes their story makes a difference for other mothers.
"My life will never be the same," Berryman said with tears in her eyes. "Love your babies because mothers give their life."
