Sheril KirshenbaumDec 21, 2022

Henrietta Lacks was a poor, Black, young mother diagnosed cervical cancer in 1951. When her cells were collected w/o consent, scientists saw they multiplied fast.

“HeLa” cells changed #science. They’re used globally to study viruses, drugs, hormones, genes, diseases & develop vaccines. Lacks passed away at 31 w no recognition.

Rebecca Skloot’s beautiful book about her life & legacy is changing that. Now her statue will replace Robert E. Lee in VA. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/20/us/henrietta-lacks-statue-roanoke-virginia.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare #history #HistoryRemix

A Statue of Henrietta Lacks Will Replace a Monument to Robert E. Lee

The statue, scheduled to be erected next fall in Roanoke, Va., is part of a local project to recognize Black history in community spaces.

Show threadMiragee
@Sheril Rebecca Skloot’s book is one of my favorites. It has pride of place on the TV stand/bookcase in my living room, along with a few other favorite books like West with the Night by Beryl Markham.
Dec 21, 2022 at 7:42pmWeb