02/27/2026
Black History Month Spotlight: Henrietta Lacks
(The Black women who saved millions of lives)
Henrietta Lacks was a young Black mother of five whose cells—taken without her knowledge during cancer treatment in 1951—became one of the most important tools in modern medicine. Known as HeLa cells, they were the first “immortal” human cells to survive and reproduce indefinitely in a laboratory, revolutionizing biomedical research.
Her cells have contributed to breakthroughs including the polio vaccine, cancer treatments, IVF, gene mapping, and countless medical advances that have saved millions of lives worldwide.
Henrietta Lacks’ legacy is both scientific and ethical. Her story reshaped conversations around informed consent, patient rights, and medical equity, ensuring that today’s research standards better protect patients and their families.
This Black History Month, we honor Henrietta Lacks—a woman whose unrecognized contribution transformed global healthcare and whose legacy continues to impact generations.
