Jane Goodall: A Life Well Lived

By Summer Bruce, Staff Writer  Edited by Eleanor Unsworth 

Jane Goodall was introduced to most people in their elementary school classrooms. Children across the world were shown an image of her holding a chimpanzee, an interaction they observed with respect and admiration. Goodall’s story is one of kindness and compassion for all living beings, especially those who need it most. Interestingly, Goodall’s unconventional start and lack of formal training in the field proved irrelevant; her natural talent and nurturing spirit allowed her to pave the way for those who were captivated by her research. Goodall was the kind of person who faced her life head-on, making every second count. It can very well be said that some people’s names suit them perfectly—Jane Goodall was one of those people. “Good” is right there in the name; her legacy is certainly “good” and will not soon be forgotten. 

Goodall always loved nature and all beings that lived in it. From the time she was a little girl, she dreamed of someday journeying to Africa, where she imagined herself not merely observing, but instead living among its wildlife. Despite this dream, Goodall grew up to attend secretarial school. The promise of job security seemed more practical, especially considering her status as a woman in postwar society. Her dream still in the back of her mind, she worked various secretarial jobs, unaware that this dream would someday soon come true. Goodall became the secretary for paleoanthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey, who quickly recognized her patience and passion for wildlife as a vital contribution missing from his research. 

On July 14, 1960, 26-year-old Goodall set off with Dr. Leakey to the Gombe Stream Reserve of Tanzania, Africa. The two were in pursuit of a more expanded understanding of evolution and early life through the close study of chimpanzees. To do this, Leakey and Goodall put considerable effort toward studying the distinction between humans and chimpanzees. Their conclusion proved revolutionary to the field of evolutionary study. Goodall observed no distinct divide between chimpanzees and humans. She presented this information, stating, “There isn’t a sharp line dividing humans from the rest of the animal kingdom after all.” This discovery forever changed the way humans and chimpanzees interact with the animal world. It has been credited with “redefining what it means to be human.” 

It is said that patience is a virtue, and Goodall was certainly virtuous. If it were not for her careful observation, one of the most groundbreaking advancements in evolutionary studies would not have been made. Throughout her time in Gombe, she gradually introduced herself into the chimpanzees’ environment, building their trust over time. In doing this, she was able to observe new, previously unrecorded behaviors, such as their communication methods and tendency to create familial bonds, similar to a human family dynamic. The true diamond-in-the-rough of her observations, however, was the chimpanzee’s toolmaking. All prior notions to this observation regarded humans as the sole “toolmakers.” There was no longer a defined distinction between the two species, and this discovery opened the doors for years of subsequent research.

Dr. Goodall earned her title upon the completion of a Ph.D. in ethology in 1965. Though she did not have an undergraduate degree, she was welcomed into Cambridge’s doctoral program. She did so mostly for the purpose of supporting her research, as a degree would bring more validity to her findings and funding toward her research. Goodall was often dismissed by her male counterparts, who viewed her as “just a girl” and would mock her empathetic nature. Goodall liked to give the chimpanzees names, rather than follow the typical procedure of numbering them, because she saw them as “individuals with personalities, complex minds, and emotions.” Dr. Jane worked to bridge the gap between science and humanity, displaying throughout her life that science can involve compassion, that it can be both calculated and kind. 

Goodall is world-renowned for her contribution to science, and her research forever changed the way that humans view the animal kingdom. An achievement perhaps more important and certainly more overlooked is her contribution to the rise of a female presence in the STEM world. In an interview for her National Geographic documentary, she stated, “I wanted to do what men did and women didn’t.” She opened doors for girls all over the world to realize that they can pursue science-related fields, that girls can lead research, ask questions, and challenge modern standards. Mattel even partnered with the Jane Goodall Institute in 2022 to create a Barbie Doll made of recycled plastic. 

A lot can be learned about a person from the language they use, as well as the language that others use to describe them. Dr. Goodall spoke with compassion, kindness, and genuine regard for all living things. In her May 2007 TED talk, Goodall defended chimpanzees, saying, “These beings have voices that mean something.” She had a constant awareness of the well-being of animals, and always thought with the interest of all living beings in mind. Goodall spoke so delicately toward nature, so considerably toward animals one might have thought she was referring to humans all along. ​​Nearly every interview, documentary, or novel referencing Goodall portrays this compassion of hers, as it was one of her most notable qualities. BBC News wrote, “She was a serene force of nature, and she never wavered in her mission.” 

Throughout her career, Jane Goodall would go on to be credited with many achievements, and she set in place programs that allowed her to introduce her ideas to people from all over the world. She created an institute in her name, the Jane Goodall Institute, through which the Roots and Shoots program broadens her reach to the youth, encouraging a conservation education from an early age. Throughout her years, she transitioned from scientist to conservationist to activist, and in 2002, she was granted the title of UN Messenger of Peace. She used this position to emphasize the importance of her work and to encourage other nations to do more work toward conservation. 

On October 1, 2025, Dr. Jane Goodall passed away, leaving behind a lifelong legacy. One of her wishes was to continue to inspire people to take care of the planet, even in her wake. Goodall founded the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation in 2017, with the intention of “continuing conservation, research, and educational programs” long-term. Prior to her passing, she stated, “I have launched the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation in order to create an endowment that will enable the programs I have developed to continue… so that the fight to make a better world for people, animals, and environment may carry on beyond my lifetime.” On her passing, the BBC said, “Jane would be the first person to tell us what the world needs right now… is to go to work.” Let her legacy be a guidepost, one to follow every day. She showed the world that one person can create change, and she dedicated her life to that change. 

“Just don’t forget: every day you live, you make a difference; you matter.” - Dr. Jane Goodall.

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