As a young girl growing up in the suburbs of Texas, I always dreamed of going far away into the woods and exploring everything I could. The dream of being a park ranger and standing among the aspen trees of the West seemed so far-fetched. I collected National Geographic Journals, and was in awe of all the researchers living in the wilderness, living the sort of life I could only imagine. In the seventh grade we did a project on our future careers. I named myself a National Geographic writer, who lives in the wilderness and reports on the natural world.
Around this time was when I first came across Jane Goodall. I saw her photo in one of those magazines and was amazed that such a young woman had the courage to leave home and follow the dreams she has had since was eight years old. With no formal training or education. She had the determination, patience, and belief that one day her dreams would come true.
Her Story
Dr. Jane Goodall was born April 3, 1934 in Hampstead, London. Born with a passion for wildlife, and curiosity to study them in their natural habitats. She would later become one of the world’s most respected primatologists and anthropologists, spending nearly her entire life studying chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania. With the approach she took, her groundbreaking research captured the world’s admiration. She believed that animals too experience emotions and intelligence just as us humans do. Unlike researchers before her, she treated them with the respect of giving each one of them names rather than numbers. Showing her true belief in individuality and the empathy that shines through her.
In 1957 Jane Goodall was working as a secretary and other odd jobs to save money for a trip to Africa. She then met the paleontologist Louis Leakey who hired her as his secretary at the National Museum in Nairobi. He recognized her potential and encouraged her to study chimpanzees in Gombe. In July 1960 is when her non traditional methods for studying chimpanzees took the world by surprise. It was at this camp she discovered the highly developed social behaviors of chimpanzees. Their use of tools, emotional bonds and communication patterns were discovered. For three years she worked on her PhD on The Behavior of Free-living Chimpanzees in the Gombe Stream Reserve. This study lasted for three months, and evolved into a lasting research program that is ongoing today.
Her Impact
Goodall’s empathy and courage inspired countless young women and animal advocates. Her story inspired a global movement of scientific expansion, and the importance of the increase of women in STEM. Her motivation is framed by genuine passion for understanding these individuals, and that authenticity is what continues to inspire many young scientists today.
“Jane Goodall was a pioneer for women in conservation and her career continues to inspire people like me to lead with empathy, curiosity, and compassion. She deeply believed in the work she was doing all throughout her life and believed in the good of all people. At a time when other scientists tended to “other” the natural world from the human world, Goodall showed that both are inextricably connected. Watching her speak at my college in the middle of my environmental science degree gave me motivation to keep going despite the outside challenges related to this field of work. One quote I remember from her speech is “We get to choose what kind of impact we make.” Remembering and building off her legacy is going to be more important than ever in the next few years as funding for scientific research and protections for our public lands are under attack.” – Ella Jacobs, University of Maryland ‘25
Beyond her groundbreaking research. Dr. Jane Goodall also had a passion for humanitarian projects and education. In 1977 she founded the Jane Goodall Institute which continues her mission to protect chimpanzees and their habitats through conservation and education.
The institute’s website (https://janegoodall.org/) highlights the global movement for people, animals and the environment. It supports sanctuaries that rescue chimpanzees from illegal wildlife trafficking and provide life long care for them. The institute thrives to carry her research and passion to promote a sustainable future for animals, people, and environment. Working with local communities in Africa, offering sustainable livelihood programs, reforestation programs, and education initiatives.
In the latter part of her life her focus expanded to being a global advocate for human rights, animal welfare, and environmental protection. In 2002 she was appointed the UN Messenger of Peace. A title dedicated to those who promote the values and goals of the United Nations. Those of which focus on peace, human rights and the environment.
“Dr. Jane was one of the first female scientists I learned about. She was an expert in her field and showed me that I can be an expert too. Her passion for her work is something that I will always admire. Women like Jane are the reason I am able to become a scientist.” – Rose von Eckartsberg, Stony Brook University ‘25
I have been fortunate enough to live out my dreams out West, working on trails with incredible crews and living in the wilderness, becoming the person my childhood self would be in awe to see. I have continuously been influenced by Goodall and her message of hope. She is a person who many of my friends in conservation have looked up to our entire lives.
To have witnessed her life long fight in conservation and humanitarian projects up until her passing on October 1, 2025 was a privilege. Her voice and actions carried the same passion and courage she had when she first made passage to Africa. Her legacy lives on in all of us as the fight for conservation continues. She reminded us all that a bit of compassion toward our natural world reveals just how interconnected we all truly are.