Dr. Jane Goodall, renowned ethologist and anthropologist, was a tireless advocate throughout her life. She raised awareness about animal rights, championed peace, and encouraged society to take steps towards bettering the state of the world.
HOW HER ADVOCACY BEGAN
Jane Goodall’s inspirational story began in 1960 in Tanzania where she made groundbreaking discoveries about the nature and behavior of Chimpanzees. Years later, in 1977, she established her eponymous organization to continue her Chimpanzee research and to promote Chimpanzee conservation, protection, and education.
In the mid-80s, Jane became an activist, going beyond her Chimpanzee research into a more inclusive approach focused on animal-human conservation. Her advocacy and activism transcended the scientific community and reached the youth; in 1991, “Roots and Shoots” was founded, a collaboration between Dr. Goodall and a group of students from Tanzania whose aim is to empower young people to take action on issues relevant to them and their communities.
Jane not only advocated for nature, she was also outspoken about her desire for a peaceful, non-violent world; for this, she was granted the highest honor from the United Nations in 2004 as a “UN Messenger of Peace.”
HOW IT NEVER ENDED
Throughout the following years, she continued centering her energy in campaigning for the protection and conservation of Chimpanzees through the Jane Goodall Institute as well as taking a stand on various societal issues related to animal and human rights and environmental protection.
She was 91 when she passed. Despite her age, her passion lingered. She was an indefatigable force, giving speeches around the globe, urging individuals to take action.
Even in her final days, she chose to keep sharing about her extraordinary life, from her childhood love for animals all the way to her trailblazing scientific research, proving that advocacy persists when fueled by hope.
5 LESSONS INSPIRED BY GOODALL
There is so much to learn from the incredible human that was Jane Goodall. Here are five radical lessons that we can take from her to help us become better humans:
ANIMALS DESERVE RESPECT
Let us all learn to respect every animal as a sentient being.
Jane recognized that non-human animals are just like us. She said that they have the capacity to feel happy, sad, nervous, and fearful. She described farmed animals especially as sapient.
Having feelings and emotions, non-human animals deserve kindness and protection. She advocated for animal rights by embracing veganism and encouraging others to do the same.
WE’RE ALL INTERCONNECTED
We are all interconnected, people, animals, our environment. When nature suffers, we suffer. And when nature flourishes, we all flourish.
Due to human actions, the world is now facing the sixth great mass extinction of species. Jane believed that we could slow down the effects of climate change if we come together to mitigate them.
We are all linked – our lives are intertwined as part of the intricate web of life. We must do what we can for the animals and the earth to thrive, so that we may also thrive.
EVERYONE MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Every individual matters. Every Individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.
To Jane, every single act matters. She said that whether it’s by conserving electricity, walking or cycling instead of using buses or cars, choosing ethical products, or adopting a plant-based diet, every person can make a difference.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE ACTION
It is important to take action and to realize that we can make a difference, and this will encourage others to take action and then we realize we are not alone and our cumulative actions truly make an even greater difference
Jane reminds us that even if we feel alone, we should keep on going as our efforts will ripple through and make a profound impact in the world.
She has always encouraged people to take immediate action for the many causes that concern us all, be it for people, animals, or the environment.
THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE
There is still so much in the world worth fighting for. So much that is beautiful, so many wonderful people working to reverse the harm, to help alleviate the suffering. And so many young people dedicated to making this a better world. All conspiring to inspire us and to give us hope that it is not too late to turn things around, if we all do our part.
Jane’s armor in a world that is full of destruction and suffering was hope. She believed that the indomitable spirit of young people, the resilience of nature, and the amazing human intellect, when melded together, would be an indestructible force that would keep the fire of hope burning.
LEGACY OF HOPE
Jane Goodall’s legacy will live on in our hearts and minds. Although she is no longer with us, the lessons she left behind will remain to give us the strength to face the adversities that are happening in our current world.
Let our motivation to take action be our way of thanking her for guiding us towards the right path – where people, animals, and nature coexist in harmony. An exceptional woman of science and compassion, Jane Goodall will be remembered by future generations for the rest of time.
I think I’d like to be remembered as someone who helped people to have a little humility and realize that we are part of the animal kingdom not separated by it.
Jane Goodall
