Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her enslaved ancestors, yet her cells—taken without her knowledge—became one of the most important tools in medicine. The first “immortal” human cells grown in culture, they are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than sixty years (Goodreads).
At 10 am every third Thursday of the month, we’ll dive into a hidden piece of history. This book club focuses on the everyday people that don’t make it into the history textbooks and explores their impact on the world.
Book discussions are in-person and do not require registration. Copies of all book discussion books are available at the Adult Services Desk, starting approximately one month prior to the discussion date. Ebooks and audiobooks are available via OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla. Questions? Email RSVP@orlandparklibrary.org or call (708) 428-5150.
May 18: Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
June 15: The Stone Wall Reader by The New York Public Library
July 20: Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the Women's Football League by Britni de la Cretaz and Lyndsey D'Arcangelo
August 17: American Sirens: The Incredible True Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics by Kevin Hazzard
