Artist Bryce Cobbs and sculptor Lawrence Bechtel are the creators behind the statue of Henrietta Lacks, the Roanoke woman who was the source of the HeLa cell line used for over 70 years in biomedical research.
In the plaza next to Roanoke’s city hall and courthouse, where a granite spire once commemorated Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, the statue of a Black woman now stands.
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A statue of Roanoke-born Henrietta Lacks is unveiled across from the Municipal Building in what is now known as Lacks Plaza. Lacks was the source of the HeLa cell line that has advanced biomedical research for the past 70 years.
A statue of Roanoke-born Henrietta Lacks is unveiled across from the Municipal Building in what is now known as Lacks Plaza. Lacks was the source of the HeLa cell line that has advanced biomedical research for the past 70 years.
DAVID HUNGATE photos, The Roanoke Times
Ron Lacks claps as a statue of his grandmother Henrietta Lacks is unveiled Wednesday.
DAVID HUNGATE, The Roanoke Times
Hundreds gathered in Lacks Plaza and Church Avenue in downtown Roanoke for the unveiling of a statue honoring Henrietta Lacks Wednesday.
DAVID HUNGATE PHOTOS, The Roanoke Times
Roanoke City Councilwoman Trish White-Boyd spearheaded the process to place a statue of Henrietta Lacks downtown. Lacks was the source of the HeLa cell line that has advanced biomedical research for the past 70 years.
DAVID HUNGATE, The Roanoke Times
A statue of Roanoke-born Henrietta Lacks sits under a drape Wednesday prior to its unveiling in the plaza that now bears her name.
DAVID HUNGATE, The Roanoke Times
Ron Lacks, grandson of Henrietta Lacks, speaks during the ceremony to unveil a statue honoring her legacy.
DAVID HUNGATE, The Roanoke Times
Artist Bryce Cobbs speaks during the unveiling of a statue of Henrietta Lacks. His drawings of Lacks were the model for the sculpture.
DAVID HUNGATE, The Roanoke Times
Sculptor Lawrence Bechtel joins a group of dignitaries to unveil his statue of Henrietta Lacks in downtown Roanoke Wednesday.
A statue of Roanoke-born Henrietta Lacks is unveiled across from the Municipal Building in what is now known as Lacks Plaza. Lacks was the source of the HeLa cell line that has advanced biomedical research for the past 70 years.
