Statue of Henrietta Lacks

The Statue of Henrietta Lacks is a life-size bronze work in Royal Fort Gardens at the University of Bristol depicting a woman whose cells transformed medical research in the twentieth century. Information panels at the statue explain the significance of HeLa cells in medical science and research advancement.

The work was created in 2021 by Helen Wilson-Roe and marks an important moment: it was the first public monument of a Black woman made by a Black woman in the United Kingdom. Its creation itself signaled a shift in how histories are commemorated.

The statue serves as a learning place at the university where visitors encounter discussions about medical ethics and scientific recognition of overlooked people. It prompts reflection on fairness in how medical breakthroughs are credited and remembered.

The statue stands in Royal Fort Gardens on the university grounds and is straightforward to view, with signage marking its location clearly. Plan time to read the information panels on site and explore the wider garden area around it.

Three generations of the Lacks family attended the unveiling ceremony, connecting Bristol directly to this pioneering figure in medical history. Their presence made the moment personal and tied the monument to the family itself.