Henrietta Lacks was a woman whose cells changed the world of medicine and science. She was born and raised in Halifax County, Virginia, but moved to Baltimore, Maryland, during World War II. She died of cervical cancer at the age of 31, but her cells, known as HeLa cells, continued to live and multiply in laboratories. They became the first human cell line to survive outside the body, and have been used for countless medical breakthroughs, such as the polio vaccine, the HPV vaccine, and treatments for cancer, hemophilia, and Parkinson’s disease. Henrietta Lacks is widely regarded as the “Mother of Modern Medicine”, and one of Halifax County’s hometown heroes.
A Life-Sized Statue to Commemorate Her Legacy
To honor her legacy and contributions to humanity, the Henrietta Lacks Hometown Initiative, a grassroots committee based in Halifax County, is seeking to erect a life-sized statue of Henrietta Lacks in South Boston, the county seat. The statue will be made of bronze and will depict Henrietta Lacks in a realistic and dignified manner. The committee hopes that the statue will inspire future generations of scientists, especially women and people of color, who may face barriers and discrimination in their fields.
A Regional Design Contest for the Statue
The committee has launched a regional design contest for the statue, inviting artists across southern Virginia to submit their original designs. The contest is open to anyone residing in Southern Virginia, and the deadline for submissions is March 15th, 2024. The winning design will be used by the committee’s designated sculptor as the inspiration for the final sculpture. The winner will also receive public recognition and have their design framed and displayed.
The design contest is being coordinated by the Prizery, a cultural and educational center in South Boston. The Prizery’s executive director, Melanie Cornelison-Jannotta, said that the contest is a great opportunity for local artists to showcase their talent and creativity, and to be a part of honoring a historical figure who has impacted the lives of millions of people around the world.
How to Submit a Design
To enter the contest, participants must complete and submit their design, entry form, and design/artwork release agreement by 5:00 pm on March 15th, 2024. The design must be original and cannot use or contain any copyrighted material. The design must also feature a life-like drawing of Henrietta Lacks. The design can be submitted in person at the Prizery, emailed to boxoffice@prizery.com, or mailed to The Prizery, Attn: Henrietta Lacks Design Contest, 700 Bruce Street, South Boston, VA 24592. If submitting electronically, the design must be in one of the following file formats: JPG, PDF, PNG. Parents must sign the release agreement for any child 17 years or younger to enter the contest.
The submissions will be judged on realism and creativity, and how well the design can translate to a bronze statue. The committee reserves the right to alter the design as needed. For more information and to download the contest requirements and stipulations, visit www.prizery.com.
A Fundraising Campaign for the Statue
The committee is still raising funds to erect the permanent statue, which is estimated to cost $150,000. So far, the campaign has raised 85 percent of its goal, and is steadily working towards securing the remaining funds. Individuals wishing to contribute to the fundraising effort can make checks payable to The Henrietta Lacks Hometown Initiative and send them to PO Box 1385, Halifax, VA 24558.
The committee hopes to unveil the statue by October 4th, 2024, which is Henrietta Lacks’ birthday. The committee also plans to organize educational and cultural events around the statue, such as lectures, workshops, and festivals, to raise awareness and appreciation of Henrietta Lacks and her legacy.
