Wax figure of Henrietta Lacks unveiled at Morgan State University

By Alexis TaylorAFRO Managing Editor

Henrietta Lacks, the lady whose immortal cells have circled the globe, contributing to medical breakthroughs, analysis and vaccines, was honored at Morgan State College (MSU) with a wax determine on March 15. 

Lacks, born in August 1920, is the Black girl liable for giving the world the primary cells able to multiplying – not dying- when taken exterior of the physique. This will look like a small feat, however up till the case of Henrietta Lacks, researchers and scientists had been restricted of their analysis. 

As soon as eliminated, most human cells die inside a particular time frame, relying on cell sort and situations. The cells from Henrietta Lacks, referred to as “HeLa cells,” made analysis simpler as a result of they don’t die as soon as positioned in a petri dish or different scientific instrument for examine.

Although she is understood in historical past for her life-saving contribution, Henrietta Lacks in the end succumbed to the identical cervical most cancers that altered her cells. So as to add insult to harm, the docs from Johns Hopkins who eliminated her cells and commenced doing analysis with out consent by no means instructed the household about their miraculous discovery. 

Since her dying in October 1951, analysis establishments and pharmaceutical firms alike have made a fortune, all whereas descendants of Henrietta Lacks struggled. Now, her household is on a mission to get the popularity– and cash– owed. 

“It’s nice seeing all of the members of the family come collectively to welcome this wax statue of our grandmother,” stated Ron Lacks, grandson of Henrietta Lacks. “It’s a blessing.”

“My father began this when he introduced the case to get some recognition,” stated Ron Lacks, talking on the work Lawrence Lacks Sr. did earlier than his August 2023 dying. 

“Some members of the family couldn’t even afford medical care. That’s why he led the campaign for reparations– to get some sort of donation to assist the Lacks household, for the reason that pharmaceutical firms made billions.”

“The struggle nonetheless continues,” stated Ron Lacks, who’s hellbent on correcting the narrative that his mom and members of the family had been “uneducated Black individuals,” from a poor, farming group.

“I needed to change that narrative about my household,” he stated. “[Ben] Crump introduced this case from the grave. Nobody wished to take the case as a result of they stored saying statute of limitations. He was the one one which introduced this case ahead– and we did get a judgement. I obtained to stroll my dad by way of the courtroom doorways.”

Ron Lacks, was in attendance for the revealing of the wax determine, together with different members of the family, reminiscent of David Lacks Jr. The occasion drew members of the group and elected officers alike. 

Julian Jones, a member of the Baltimore County Council, was in attendance for the revealing. Talking to the viewers, he stated it was becoming that the occasion happen at MSU, which has lengthy served as “a pillar of Black excellence and schooling.”

Jones stated the following era of scientists, docs and medical researchers who come to MSU are studying at an establishment that “ensures that each pupil that walks these halls is aware of her identify— not simply as a scientific footnote.” 

“Henrietta Lacks, a Black girl from Turner Station, may by no means have imagined that her cells taken with out her data in 1951 would revolutionize trendy medication,” stated Jones. “This statue stands as greater than a tribute. It’s a declaration that Black lives, Black our bodies and Black contributions to society and science matter.”

Jones stated the statue stands as “a name to proceed the work of medical ethics, well being fairness and justice for all.”

The determine might be housed in Baltimore on the The Nationwide Nice Blacks in Wax Museum, situated within the 1600 block of North Avenue. 

Dr. Joanne Martin, co-founder of the Nationwide Nice Black Wax Museum stated the standard of the wax determine is of the utmost significance. 

“One of many issues that my husband Elmer and I had been conscious of and stated typically is that ‘we’re being entrusted with an individual’s legacy,” stated  “We need to be respectful of that legacy– it ought to shine by way of the wax determine itself and be properly made.”

“We’ve got a crew of sculptors as a result of it’s a really specialised course of,” stated Dr. Martin. “You will have hair weavers– each a part of it needs to be proper. We are available quite a lot of colours, so we’ve got to ensure we’re getting the pores and skin tone and bodily traits proper.” 

“All of these issues come collectively,” she stated. “To listen to a member of the family discuss how moved he was in his grandmother…meaning loads.”

Gloria Nelson, president of the Turner Station Conservation Staff, spoke to the legacy left behind by Lacks and different residents of Turner Station, the place the Lacks household lived. In line with data launched by the Baltimore County Authorities, between 1940 and 1945, the world had a inhabitants of roughly 9,000 individuals.

“This statue is a superb honor for a little bit girl from Turner station,” stated Nelson.  “Our group was one of many largest historic African-American communities in Baltimore County. It was a autonomous Black group with many profitable individuals who referred to as it ‘dwelling.’” 

This system was hosted by the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group and the Girls, Gender and Sexuality Research Program out of MSU’s Division of English and Language Arts. 

Kristy Wilson, a 2001 graduate enterprise administration, initially from Higher Marlboro, Md., stated she heard the revealing was going to occur by listening to WEAA, the group radio station owned and operated by Morgan State College. 

“It was amazing- simply studying what her cells may do,” stated Wilson. “I discovered loads.” 

Wilson stated seeing the revealing of Henrietta Lack’s statue touched her on a private stage. 

“I’m nonetheless processing it for myself,” she stated. “However I’m simply stuffed with pleasure….pleasure and energy. This fed my ardour to assist out some sort of approach. It reignited a fireplace in me and I’m effervescent out to share it with others.”