Saying Goodbye to a Hero; Thank you, Dr. Jane Goodall

Learning of your hero’s death is always devastating. This Wednesday, the world lost an extraordinary force for good — its bravest, kindest, most dedicated, humblest, inspirational, and tireless champion, when Dr. Jane Goodall, the world-renowned primatologist, ethologist, and activist, passed away at the ripe age of 91.  Few would be surprised that she spent her final days in Los Angeles, on a speaking engagement. She famously toured the world 300 days each year. 

I first became aware of Dr. Goodall’s work when I returned to college to study anthropology, as a 37-year-old adult (non-traditional student). It was a physical anthropology class called Human Origins, where we examined the evolution of modern humans, looking closely at our primate cousins. Dr. Usher showed the National Geographic films of Dr. Goodall developing the chimpanzee research facility at Gombe National Forest in Tanzania. 

As a shy, introverted mother of two young children, I was quickly and completely enamored with her boldness and single-minded pursuit of her dreams. In 1960, as a young woman, she realized her childhood ambition of living in Africa when she convinced the famed paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey to allow her to travel to Tanzania to study chimpanzees. Additionally, with her time with the chimps running out, she was able to convince National Geographic to film and photograph her work. This, of course, is how the rest of the world and I learned of her breakthrough research and how she met her first husband, a wildlife photographer. 

Her studies of the chimps of Gombe National Forest utterly changed not only how we view other species, but also what we understand as purely human characteristics. Because of her, we know that other creatures make and use tools, hunt cooperatively, show emotion, and have complex social structures—all things previously thought to define humanness. She also upended the scientific world by naming the animals she studied rather than reducing them to numbers. 

Her work with the chimpanzees, however, is only half of her remarkable story. She went on to create the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots and Shoots program for young people worldwide. Activism for animals and the environment became her focus, ultimately consuming most of her time. She traveled extensively, giving speeches around the world, wrote 32 books, and has inspired many with her words and actions. Dr. Jane quickly became a friend to everyone she met. 

Two of the main reasons I have idolized Dr. Jane since hearing of her work are that she exemplifies self-directed learning and, no small feat, remained steadfast to her values while achieving worldwide acclaim. She didn't wait for things to happen to her; she seized opportunities and explored every possibility while spreading empathy, kindness, and compassion for all creatures. With her playful, adventurous, and generous spirit intact, she captured the hearts, minds, and imaginations of people around the world, including mine. Now, in my view, that is just plain badass—something I have always aspired to be. 

DRC News

We had a strange week with several kids out for the last two days, which is why we postponed our field trip to the Paul Smith’s VIC to next Thursday.  We did manage to celebrate a newly minted 13-year-old on Thursday (Happy Birthday, T) with homemade pizza and cake. Thanks to our newest member, C, for helping make both. 

---

The Pop-ups Peeps had fun at the Massena Library on Thursday with a walk to Stewarts to buy ice cream and a can of whipped cream. Janine reported that they also had an interesting conversation about biases.  

Plan on meeting them next Thursday, October 9th at the Nicandri Nature Center.  

Pop-ups Info