Baltimore, MD – March 17, 2025 — Morgan State University, in partnership with the National Blacks in Wax Museum, unveiled a wax statue of Henrietta Lacks on March 15, honoring the woman whose “immortal” HeLa cells revolutionized modern medicine.
The event, hosted on MSU’s campus, was attended by family members, community leaders, and elected officials. The statue, supported by the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group, pays tribute to Lacks’ extraordinary yet often overlooked contribution to science and global health.
“Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman from Turner Station, could never have imagined that her cells taken without her knowledge in 1951 would revolutionize modern medicine,” said Julian Jones, Baltimore County Council member. “This statue is more than a tribute—it is a declaration that Black contributions to science matter.”
Ron Lacks, grandson of Henrietta Lacks, reflected on the family’s journey toward justice and recognition. “It’s a blessing to see our grandmother honored in this way. The fight for equity and acknowledgment continues.”
Morgan State, a historically Black university and leader in research and education, proudly hosts this powerful symbol to inspire future generations of scientists and scholars.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5V-ALoxxnrY