A Conversation with Rebecca Skloot, Author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Join American University Washington College of Law
for a conversation with Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
Introduction by AU President Sylvia Burwell and WCL Acting Dean Robert Dinerstein.
Joining the discussion are:
- Lisa Taylor, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Affinities
- Lindsay Wiley, Professor of Law and Director of the Health Law & Policy Program
- Asha Scielzo, Associate Director of the Health Law & Policy Program
6pm - 7:30pm
Discussion, followed by audience Q&A session.
Zoom link is provided in registration confirmation.
Bestselling author Rebecca Skloot, spent more than ten years doggedly uncovering the truth about the life, death, and ultimate “immortality” of a poor Black tobacco farmer named Henrietta Lacks. Her phenomenal book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks has sold nearly 3 million copies to date.
In The Immortal Life, Skloot tells the story of a young Black woman who died of cervical cancer in 1951—and left behind an inexplicably immortal line of cells known as HeLa. Henrietta’s cells—harvested without her knowledge or consent—contributed to scientific advancements as varied as the polio vaccine, treatments for cancers and viruses, in-vitro fertilization, and the impact of space travel on human cells. The Immortal Life is also the story of Henrietta’s descendants, the Lacks family, some of whom were used in research without their consent and none of whom have ever benefited from the commercialization of HeLa cells, even though those cells have helped biotech companies make millions of dollars. Part detective story, part scientific odyssey, and part family saga, The Immortal Life raises haunting yet urgent questions about race, class, autonomy, and bioethics in America.
- Presentation
- Open To The Public, Alumni AND Faculty/Staff
Virtual Meet-and-Greet with the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Join the Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law for a virtual happy hour for incoming students! Learn about our work, how to get involved, and meet Center faculty, staff, and fellow students interested and involved in human rights and humanitarian law at AUWCL. To request reasonable accommodation please contact us at humlaw@wcl.american.edu.
- Seminar
- Open To Students, Faculty/Staff AND
The Law and Government Society Welcome Event
An opportunity to meet students who are members of the Law and Government society and hear about their exciting programming. Topics discussed will include introductions of student leadership, a discussion of past events, and a look forward to the Fall 2020 semester.
- Presentation
- Open To The Public, Alumni, Students AND Faculty/Staff
OAE 1L Lab: Time-Management
The Office of Academic Excellence invites 1L students to join us for a workshop on time-management. During this workshop, students will have the opportunity to learn about the time-management process, learn tips for applying key strategies, and have the opportunity to create their very own customized time-management plan.
- Workshop
- Open To Students
Gender and Law Welcome Happy Hour
- Reception
- Open To Students AND Faculty/Staff