Jane Goodall

Born April 3, 1934, in London, England, Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall discovered an interest in animal behavior from an early age and left school at 18 years old. For several years, Jane worked as a secretary and a film production assistant.

In July 1960, Jane Goodall traveled from England to what is now the country of Tanzania when she was just 26 years old. Here she discovered the unknown world of wild chimpanzees. At this time in history, humans knew very little about the connection between chimpanzees and humans and the genetic kinship they share between them. Studying the Kasakela chimpanzee community in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in 1960, Jane noticed that chimpanzees have personality and rational thought. She observed their caring nature- how many would pat each other on the back, give hugs and kisses or even tickle each other. Not only focusing on the health and threats facing the population of chimpanzees, but Jane also redefined species conservation to include the needs of local people and the environment as well as the well-being of the species that are threatened. 

Jane credits her mother for pushing her to pursue her dreams of studying primatology- especially when it was a male-dominated industry at the time. In 1977, Jane established the Jane Goodall Institute which funds research in Gombe Stream National Park and focuses on community-centered conservation and development projects in Africa.

In April 2002, Jane was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Today, Jane travels the world, writing, speaking, and spreading hope through science. She encourages everyone to “use the gift of our life to make the world a better place.”