Dr. Dawn Kristen Smith

Dawn´s major scientific contributions and ongoing impact take on an even more special significance during this time when public health is under seige. A hearty thanks to Dawn´s soul and family!

Ongoing affection. Dawn has left her mark on countless future generations. By training thinking scientists in the principles of the social determinants of health and epigenetics, through them she continues to go out as a soldier, around the world, to serve humanity as a healer and health professional.

There are no words. We became sisters, not of blood and bone, but it seemed that way. Our journey together began when we were 19, and continues from the next world. I have memorialized her in a forthcoming book of poems, The Ways of Grace: poems of truth &joy. Two weeks earlier I had lost a `brother´, Kevin Locke, my eyes and ears spiritually in the Native world on Pine Ridge rez. She had worked at Window Rock for her early medical training and was deeply impressed by the resilience of Indigenous ppl. We shared that ancestry in our bloodlines. We were both aunties to our respective children. Trust me when I say there was welcoming fanfare when she entered the Abha Paradise. For those of you who find yourselves in distress, call on her. She will cross worlds to help you! Peace & blessings. Dr. Robin Chandler

Her tribute yesterday was so wonderful. Thank you to CDC for organizing, and inviting people to speak. I worked with her at the Grady Infectious Disease Program in the early 1990´s when we tried to enroll women in clinical trials for the first drugs to treat HIV. She was kind, helpful and very supportive of the struggles in caring for these women.

I haven't seen Dawn in years but she was such a kind, thoughtful, encouraging voice when I was working with her on some of my PhD research 25 years ago. I still have fond memories of someone who always had time and patience to help a young grad student.

Dawn was a warm-hearted, kind and hospitable friend. I was privileged to know her in Atlanta and in Gaborone, Botswana, where she was a Baha'i pioneer. May her luminous and perceptive spirit be welcomed with accolades of excellence in the eternal realms. "Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed".Baha'u'llah.

Dearest Dawn, You are gone too soon and without warning. It's an honor and privilege to have worked with you and learned from you. Your humbleness does not conceal your greatness. You have saved many lives and supported countless others. I am truly saddened and hope this improper "au revoir" channels itself to you. Wishing your family much strength with this difficult challenge. Warm hugs to you my friend! xox Arielle

I was so saddened to hear of Dawn's untimely passing. I knew her through work collaboration as immensely intelligent and very generous with her time. She graciously helped me with many work efforts focused on youth. I knew she was very respected and accomplished, but she was clearly very humble as I had no idea of the enormity of her contribution to public health. She often spoke of her family, all of whom she obviously loved dearly. She will be missed immensely and I pray for comfort for her family.

I was quite saddened to hear of Dawn´s passing. She was a brilliant colleague, forward thinking public health senior scientist, and stalwart supporter of diversity, inclusion, and equity issues throughout her career. I met Dawn as a fellow Epidemic Intelligence Officer in 1991 during our summer training course and admired her great intellect and dedication to her work. She had an amazing breadth of knowledge. She shared her love of Gospel music and participated in domestic and international gospel competitions, and was an amazing cook who enjoyed sharing delicious dishes that she had prepared at office gatherings. She was generous with her time especially when it was related to encouraging access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Dawn and I recently participated as panelists in a discussion around the history of and new developments around PrEP. It represents out last collaboration after 31 years. Dawn was a doting mom and often talked about the accomplishments of her beloved children and grandchildren. Her passing represents the end of an era but through her pioneering work and life, she has helped prevent HIV infection amongst countless persons worldwide and set the stage for many more great things to come in the arena of public health. Her beautiful and accomplished family is a testament to her love and gives us hope that her amazing legacy will live for generations to come! God bless her soul and family!

My friendship with Dawn began when we were classmates at Proviso East High School in Maywood. In the early/mid 1960s Maywood was one of the only Chicago suburbs that welcomed African American working class families. Dawn and I met in Contemporary History class when we were both jrs. in1966. Dawn was invited by the teacher to share the principles of the Baha´i Faith because of their relevance to the themes we were studying. I was immediately impressed with Dawn´s confidence and intelligence and we quickly became friends. Over the year that followed I was to become part of a growing circle of friends who were attracted to the teachings of the Baha´i Faith and enrolled in the Faith as a senior in High School after attending discussions at the home of Dawn and her mother Betty. Embracing the Baha´i Faith has proven to be a life changing in ways that I could never have dreamed! The other outstanding memory from our time in high school was the quartet of Dawn, Sandy Woolbright (Huening), Lennel Grace and me. We reprised the 1963 recording by the Orlons for Muskrat Ramble - complete with matching outfit! As we all moved on with our lives following high school our friendship continued but we saw each other less as less over the years though our bonds of faith and friendship remained strong. And I am eternally grateful that our paths converged when were young! My prayers are offered for the continued progress of her dear spirit and the comfort of her dearest loved one.