Herstory Is Our Story
Henrietta Lacks
A Vibrant Wife, Mother & Community Leader
Henrietta Lacks was a Black woman born Loretta Pleasant on August 1, 1920, in Roanoke, Virginia, to Eliza and Johnny Pleasant. Sometime after, her name was changed from Loretta to Henrietta. As a young child, Henrietta's mother passed away, and she moved to be raised by her grandfather, Tommy Lacks, on a tobacco farm in her beloved Clover, Virginia. Henrietta married David ‘‘Day’’ Lacks in 1941 in Halifax County, Virginia.
As a young mother, she would move north with Day to find opportunities in Baltimore and made a home in Turner Station in Dundalk, Maryland. There, Henrietta and Day built a life for themselves and their five children: Lawrence, Elsie, David, Deborah, and Joseph (Zakariyya). Henrietta was known to help others in the community who needed support as they came to also find work in Baltimore. To Henrietta’s family, she was their cherished “Hennie,” daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. During her lifetime, Henrietta was a remarkable woman who loved her children, community, dancing, cooking, horseback riding, fashion, and was as vibrant as her favorite color – red!
Henrietta, always caring for those around her, tried to hide her pain at home and would eventually go to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore after experiencing extensive vaginal bleeding. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer, which was terminal and quickly consumed her body despite treatment. At only 31 years of age, Henrietta’s life was cut short on October 4, 1951. Henrietta Lacks died eight months after her cancer diagnosis, leaving behind her children, husband, and her ‘‘immortal cells’’ that unknowingly would change the world. You see, on the same day as Henrietta’s death, Johns Hopkins held a press conference to announce to the world that they had the first human immortal cell line, named "HeLa", while her grieving family remained unaware of this discovery.
Henrietta Lacks' Immortal HeLa Cells
Medical researchers took samples of Henrietta Lacks’ cancerous tumor during her treatment, and the HeLa cell line from her tumor proved remarkably resilient. These miracle cells are known as “HeLa” cells - derived from the first two letters of her first and last name. HeLa cells were a breakthrough in cell research - the first immortal line of human cells, doubling every 24 hours, dividing and replenishing indefinitely in a laboratory, and successfully growing outside of the human body for longer than 36 hours.
While the birth of Henrietta's HeLa cell line made a global impact – her family remained uninformed. Henrietta Lacks’ cells were unique, growing by the millions, commercialized, and distributed worldwide to researchers, resulting in advances in medicine. It was not until 1975, 20 years after Henrietta’s death, that her family would learn how science retrieved her cells and of her enormous contribution to medicine and humanity.
The world would never be the same after the “HeLa” phenomena began in 1951. Since then, there has been mass production of the cells which have traveled around the globe, even into space! The HeLa cells are continually used for research and to test theories about the cause and treatment of diseases. Over 50,000,000 metric tons of HeLa cells have been distributed around the world, reproduced billions of times to become the subject of more than 75,000 studies.
Advances made possible by Henrietta Lacks’ cells and the revenues they generated were not known to her family for more than twenty years. Even though Henrietta’s cells launched a multi-billion-dollar industry that sells human biological materials, to date, her family has never received any of the revenues HeLa cells generated.
For seven decades, Henrietta Lacks’ prolific cells continue to grow and contribute to remarkable advances in medicine. Henrietta's HeLa cells contributed to Nobel Prize-winning developments of the polio vaccine, the discovery of human papillomaviruses (HPV) causing cervical cancer and the later creation of the HPV vaccine, the discovery of the human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV), research on telomeres, and advances in live viewing of cellular growth. Most recently, HeLa cells contributed to the 2021 Nobel Prize awarded discovery of receptors for temperature and touch.
In addition to the study of treatments for the effects of cancer, hemophilia, leukemia, and Parkinson’s disease, HeLa cells have been used in research that has contributed to the understanding of the effects of radiation and zero gravity on human cells. HeLa cells have been credited for creating the field of virology and were vital for the “omics” revolution, from genomics to transcriptomics and proteomics. From informing research on chromosomal conditions, cancer, gene mapping, precision medicine, and even the current coronavirus studies as the world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic Henrietta Lacks' HeLa cells continue to help save lives.
Honoring Incontestable Impact
Henrietta unknowingly changed the world forever! She has been called many things immortal, Mother of Modern Medicine, Heroine of Modern Medicine, Medical Miracle, and Wonder Woman. Henrietta Lacks’ legacy has been recognized around the world through memorials, conferences, museum exhibitions, libraries, print, and visual media. Her story has been told by many, including Rebecca Skloot, the New York Times bestselling author of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” which inspired the HBO FILMS movie adaptation starring Oprah Winfrey. Her significant contributions have been recognized by the United States Congress, state legislatures, and local policymakers; and globally honored by governments, artists, schools, universities, scientists, patient advocates, social justice leaders, and more.
Today, Henrietta Lacks continues to enhance many lives, even those who are unaware of her past existence. After all, Henrietta has a rich and important history and a great legacy that she left for her family to carry. Henrietta Lacks and her family’s experience is fundamental to modern bioethics policies and informed consent laws that benefit patients nationwide by building patient trust and protecting research participants. In 2013, the Lacks family entered a groundbreaking, HeLa Genome Data Use Agreement with the medical, scientific, and bioethics communities, giving them a role in regulating the HeLa genome sequences and discoveries.
Advancing Her Worldwide Legacy
On August 1, 2020, Henrietta's 100th birthday was honored around the world with the launch of the yearlong HELA100: Henrietta Lacks Centennial CELLebration led by The Lacks Family. It is only fitting that during this historical year, her legacy was further recognized globally by the World Health Organization and the National Women's Hall of Fame. In the U.S., The Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act, was signed into law on December 18, 2020. This law calls for the U.S. Government Accountability Office to complete a study that reviews actions taken by federal agencies to help to address barriers to participation in federally funded cancer clinical trials by populations that have been traditionally underrepresented in such trials.
In 2021, in honor of Henrietta Lacks’ 101st birthday, The Lacks Family announced the advancement of their philanthropic effort “HELA100: The Henrietta Lacks Initiative,” which educates future generations on the impact of Henrietta Lacks’ HeLa cells while promoting health equity and social justice. To commemorate 70 years since Henrietta Lacks’ HeLa cells changed the world and her untimely death on October 4, 1951, The Lacks Family proudly embarked on the HELA100 Worldwide Tour.
On October 4, 2021, the HELA100 Worldwide Tour started in Bristol, with the unveiling of a life-size statue of Henrietta Lacks - the first public sculpture of a Black woman made by a Black woman in the UK by artist Helen Wilson-Roe and commissioned by the University of Bristol. The tour continued in the UK and on to Germany as The Lacks Family met with diplomatic leaders, artists, poets, researchers, scientists, students, community members and conducted first-ever workshops and conversations on Henrietta Lacks' legacy, racism, ethics, patient empowerment, normalized malpractice, oral history, the societal impact of the prison industrial complex and the role of the arts in education.
Then on October 13, 2021, at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, welcomed The Lacks Family led by Lawrence Lacks, Sr., Henrietta Lacks' eldest son for a special dialogue acknowledging the legacy of Henrietta Lacks, her contribution to revolutionary advancements in medical science and honored the late Henrietta Lacks with a WHO Director-General’s award, recognizing her world-changing legacy. At the close of 2021, UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and women's empowerment recognized this award as one of the top 10 defining moments for gender equality in 2021.
On August 1, 2023, a lawsuit settlement was reached with a biotechnology company for improperly profiting from the HeLa cells. Henrietta Lacks' family gathered with her sole surviving son, Lawrence Lacks, Sr. to pay tribute to their beloved Hennie on what would have been her 103rd birthday.
SAY HER NAME - Henrietta Lacks
Henrietta Lacks, a phenomenal Black woman, wife, and mother unknowingly changed the face of medical science, contributing to lasting, worldwide improvements in health. Henrietta is a hero of modern medicine, and her contributions to the medical discoveries resulting from her HeLa cells helped make possible some of the most important medical advances of the last century. Henrietta’s life has incontestably impacted global health, scientific research, bioethics, patient rights, and equity that benefit all people.
We invite the world to CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks. To honor her legacy and Say Her Name - Henrietta Lacks.
veronica robinson
Veronica Robinson is a patient rights advocate who speaks on The Lacks family's experience in biomedical research, impact on participation, and ethics in this modern era of precision medicine. She also serves as Senior Advisor to the Lacks family-led HELA100: Henrietta Lacks Initiative and is honored to serve as a World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Cervical Cancer Elimination.
Veronica travels the country sharing The Lacks Family’s efforts to control their medical history and rebuild trust with the medical community, about which she was honored to give a 2018 TedX Talk.
Working with the National Institutes of Health, Veronica serves as an All of US Ambassador advocating for access to precision medicine and a Lacks Family Representative on the HeLa Genome Data Access Working Group. As a member of this groundbreaking Working Group, she provides controlled access to genomic data and ensures credit is attributed to The Lacks Family in publications based on the research done with Henrietta’s DNA data.
Inspired by her family's journey, Veronica began her studies at Baltimore City Community College, now focused on political science to help advance health equity and social justice for all. As a mentor for Baltimore City Public Schools, Veronica is committed to empowering the next generation. Today, Veronica sees the first-hand impact of Henrietta Lacks' legacy on patient rights, informed consent, maternal health and patient-centered care as she works in a medical lab in Maryland.
Alfred Lacks carter, Jr.
Alfred Lacks Carter, Jr. is the grandson of Henrietta Lacks and the son of Henrietta’s second daughter Deborah Lacks. Alfred is the Founder and President of the Henrietta Lacks House of Healing and 501c3 non-profit dedicated to providing transitional housing for men in order to combat homelessness and recidivism as well as re-entry into the community after recent release. He also serves as Senior Advisor to the Lacks family-led HELA100: Henrietta Lacks Initiative, and is honored to serve as a World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Cervical Cancer Elimination.
Alfred is highly active in his community, helping men transition back to their lives and families post-incarceration. Alfred also has presented in communities, organizations and schools across the country, educating the world on The Lacks Family story, his mother’s journey and his grandmother’s legacy. His efforts have included a number of social justice and health equity initiatives.
Alfred also acted in and served as an advisor on the 2017 Emmy nominated, the immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, the HBO movie adaptation of his mother’s journey to learn about her mother, Henrietta Lacks, who was played by Oprah Winfery, who also was an executive producer.
Today, Alfred is collaborating with a youth entrepreneurship, education, and empowerment program to develop and launch a fragrance honoring the essence of his vibrant grandmother – Henrietta Lacks. He also is the author of Shadows Of Immortality: Untold Struggles of Henrietta Lacks' Grandson his recently released memior.
Jeri Lacks-Whye
Jeri Lacks-Whye is the granddaughter of Henrietta Lacks and the daughter of Henrietta’s middle son David “Sonny” Lacks. Along with other family members, Jeri travels the country giving her insightful account of her grandmother’s important contributions to science. As the granddaughter of such an amazing African American woman that has left a legacy to the world, Jeri also discusses the release of the highly acclaim non-fiction book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot.
In 2016, Jeri partnered with the White House to host a Cancer Moonshot Summit bringing together individuals and organizations representing the entire cancer community and beyond - researchers, oncologists, care providers, philanthropists, data and tech experts, advocates, patients and survivors - under the national charge to double the rate of progress towards a cure. Jeri continues to keep the legacy of her grandmother active and conscious while at the same time using her family’s story as a platform to take part in issues we face nationwide such as patient rights, health prevention, health disparities, literacy, fighting cancer, partnership between research and research participants, trustworthiness between the communities and medical establishments.
Jeri is a graduate of Villa Julie College formerly known as Stevenson University and Copping State University. Jeri is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. She works in the Baltimore City judiciary system in the domestic violence unit. Jeri’s work also includes serving as an advisor on the 2017 Emmy nominated, the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, the HBO movie adaptation of her beloved grandmother’s life, which stars and is executive produced by Oprah Winfery.
Today, Jeri continues to curate The Lacks Family Collection, with artifacts from her grandmother's life and legacy. To educate future generations on the impact of Henrietta's immortal HeLa cells, Jeri
authored a poem Who Am I? Henrietta Lacks, The Mother of Modern Medicine, is working on a children's book and Co-Founded CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks.
David Lacks, Jr.
David Lacks, Jr. is the grandson of Henrietta Lacks and the son of Henrietta’s middle son David “Sonny” Lacks. David is a patient rights advocate, who travels the country sharing his grandmother’s important contributions to science.
David and his family have been proud to speak truth to power as they serve as catalysts for modern bioethics policies and inform consent laws that are affording patients an unprecedented “seat at the table”, by advancing science, building trust, and protecting research participants.
In 2013, a milestone was reached as the Lacks Family entered a groundbreaking, HeLa Genome Data Use Agreement with the medical, scientific, and bioethics communities, giving David and his family a role in regulating the HeLa genome sequences, discoveries, data shared and important HeLa science to come. David is honored to serve on this historic National Institutes of Health six-member panel, which reviews proposals from researchers seeking to sequence the DNA of cell lines derived from his grandmother’s tumor or to use DNA profiles of such cells in their research. In this role, David works to provide controlled access to the genomic data and ensure that credit is attributed to the Lacks family in papers and scientific presentations based on the research done with the DNA data.
David possesses a degree in computer information systems and travels internationally installing computer systems and labs for businesses and educational institutions. David assisted in the creation of the Lacks Family website, and in his spare time uses his talent to maintain the Lacks’ family digital media.
David is currently leading the organization of a conference to celebrate the incontestable impact of Henrietta to commemorate Henrietta’s 100th birthday and Co-Founded CELLebrate Henrietta Lacks.
VICTORIA BAPTISTE, BSN, RN
Victoria Baptiste, BSN, RN, is a nurse living in Baltimore County, Maryland, committed to educating, empowering, and mobilizing patient advocates, healthcare providers, clinicians, researchers, community leaders, and policymakers to increase access to high-quality care for all people. From clinical trial participation and management to serving on the frontlines of the pandemic to increase vaccine confidence and equity, she works to reach her patients in community settings as a traveling nurse. Victoria also serves as Senior Advisor to the Lacks family-led HELA100: Henrietta Lacks Initiative, is honored to serve as a World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Cervical Cancer Elimination, and was humbled to be named to the BBC 100 Women 2022 list recognizing inspiring and influential women from around the world.
Early on, she was inspired by her grandfather Lawrence Lacks, Sr.’s father, David "Day" Lacks, Victoria became a Registered Nurse to ensure that all patients are treated with respect and dignity. She is committed to educating and empowering patients to understand their care.
Victoria travels the world speaking on Henrietta Lacks’ legacy, her family's experience in biomedical research, clinical trial diversity, informed consent, patient-centered care, medical ethics, health equity, social justice, and deliberative community engagement techniques to build trust in this modern era of precision medicine. In 2016, Victoria was proud to represent The Lacks Family at the historic passing of the U.S. Congressional Resolution Recognizing the Life and Legacy of Henrietta Lacks in honor of Women’s History Month.
Today, Victoria works as a traveling nurse administering the COVID-19 and now Monkeypox vaccines at schools, libraries, and community centers throughout Maryland. She brings this insight to her role as a Senior Advisor to the Lacks Family-led “HELA UNITE” program, aimed at increasing COVID-19 vaccine confidence and equity. Victoria also leads in the development of HELA100's HPV and Cervical Cancer projects aimed at educating youth, women, families and health care provided to end disparities.
Victoria began her journey in the field as a Medical Assistant and started her nursing studies at Baltimore City Community College. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University. Victoria aims to advance her nursing career by earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to continue improving the quality of patients’ lives, communities, and healthcare institutions. She previously served as the charge nurse of a chronic dialysis center and an acute nurse at various Baltimore City hospital dialysis centers.
She is committed to empowering the next generation of health care leaders and serves on the Henrietta Lacks Dunbar Health Science Scholarship committee. Victoria, an avid reader, also serves on the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committee's Literature - Fiction Panel.
As a proud “Lacks woman,” Victoria is a wife and mother of two, living and working in Baltimore County, Maryland - serving the very community Henrietta Lacks raised her children.
LAWRENCE LACKS, SR.
Lawrence Lacks, Sr., was Henrietta Lacks’ eldest and only living child. He was born in his mother’s beloved Clover, Virginia. As a boy, he moved with his father, David “Day” Lacks, mother, Henrietta, and sister, Elsie Lacks, to the Turner Station community in Baltimore, Maryland. Lawrence fondly remembers waking up and the whole house smelling like fresh-baked bread, his mother's cooking, and how she used to chase after him, playing as a boy and spending his days swimming.
Lawrence was only 16 years old when his mother, Henrietta, suffered a rapid and painful death from metastatic cervical cancer in the “colored ward” of Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1951. Lawrence would have to mourn her passing while helping with his younger siblings, David “Sonny” Lacks, Deborah Lacks, and Joseph (Zakariyya) Lacks. More than two decades later, he and his wife Bobbette learned of the unique cancer cells responsible for his mother’s death had been harvested without their permission from Henrietta’s body, cultivated in a Johns Hopkins laboratory, distributed to researchers around the world as "HeLa" cells and launched a multibillion-dollar industry.
To lead his family in reclaiming their story, Lawrence co-authored HeLa Family Stories: Lawrence and Bobbette, in which he shares his firsthand descriptions of daily life with his mother, Henrietta, giving a vivid picture of the woman who brought HeLa cells to the world. The book also depicts the struggles of the family Henrietta Lacks left behind as they worked to overcome the trauma from medical racism, injustices, and abuse endured for decades. Lawrence founded the family-led foundation honoring his mother's legacy. Lawrence is actively advancing his family's HELA100: The Henrietta Lacks Initiative as an advisor, speaker, and historian who has traveled the world to share his invaluable insights with global leaders, students, researchers, and community leaders.
In 2021, Lawrence proudly led his family in visiting the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva for a special dialogue acknowledging his mother's contribution to revolutionary advancements in medical science and honored the late Henrietta Lacks with a WHO Director-General’s award, recognizing her world-changing legacy. In 2022, he was named as a World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Cervical Cancer Elimination.
Lawrence, a pioneer in his own right, is a proud U.S. Armed Service veteran living in Baltimore County, Maryland. As an entrepreneur, he owned and operated Lacks Meat Palace and a multiplex in his community. He also worked in Sparrow Point Ship Yard in Maryland and was one of the first Black Amtrak Engineers.
Lawrence served as The Lacks Family patriarch, empowering the next generation to continue his mother's legacy. He lovingly championed his mother's impact, lighting up whenever he shared how proud he was of all the good Henrietta Lacks has done for the world.
A MESSAGE FROM THE LACKS FAMILY
As members of The Lacks Family, we are committed to upholding our mission to preserve the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks and educate future generation on the impact of her immortal HeLa cells while promoting health equity and social justice.
The Lacks Family will continue to raise awareness and advocate to address worldwide injustices such as poverty, racism, medical ethics, unemployment, homelessness, education, patient rights, and tissue ownership.
Our family uplifts Henrietta’s contributions to the world. The Lacks family has moved from being victims, to victors with a proud family heritage.
We truly appreciate everyone who has taken time to learn about Henrietta Lacks, our family and her HeLa cells. Remember! Henrietta Lacks is A Gift that Keeps on Giving. We will continue to spread our positive message to schools, libraries, associations, communities and organizations worldwide, ensuring that Henrietta Lacks' contributions to humanity are never forgotten.
Continue to keep our family in your prayers, as this journey for our mother and grandmother’s legacy continues to flourish.
