Henrietta Lacks Statue

South Boston, Virginia

Henrietta Lacks is now called the "mother of modern medicine," although not in her lifetime. When she was diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 31, doctors discovered that her cells could not die, and took samples without her knowledge or consent. Now referred to as "HeLa" cells, they have since helped scientists in cancer research and vaccine development.

After being ignored for decades, Henrietta was finally honored with a statue on October 4, 2024, the 71st anniversary of her death. The statue faces northeast, toward her hometown of Clover, and the base features enlarged representations of some of her immortal cells.