This life-size bronze statue of Henrietta Lacks was unveiled a couple weeks ago on October 4th, the 73rd anniversary of her passing. The people of Halifax County rallied together and donated funds for this tribute to celebrate her life and honor the remarkable impact she has had on the world.
The unveiling ceremony was particularly meaningful, with members of Henrietta Lacks' family and people from her hometown sharing how her life has touched them personally. Hope Harris-Gyles, co-chair of the Henrietta Lacks Hometown Initiative, shared: “Halifax was her home and in her heart, and she will forever belong to us and we to her. Our stories are inextricably linked, and I’m so proud that on this day we are bringing her story home.”
Lacks' legacy is a story of resilience, dignity, and the strength of a woman whose life has had an immeasurable influence on society. Her cells, taken without consent, became a foundation for countless medical breakthroughs—from the development of the polio vaccine to advances in cancer treatment. When designing this statue, we sought to capture not only her likeness, but the true impact her life has had on all humankind.
We are grateful to have been entrusted with this project and to see it now serve as a lasting symbol of Henrietta Lacks’ influence. We are proud of what this statue represents, and it is our deepest hope that it serves as a beacon of her strength, grace, and the monumental influence she continues to have on the world.
David Conner II Photos