Jane Goodall: April 3, 1934 - October 1, 2025
You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you get to decide what kind of difference you want to make. Jane Goodall
This week I salute one of my heroes, Jane Goodall, primatologist, ethologist, conservationist, ambassador for wildlife, and educator who died Oct. 1st age 91, while on a speaking tour. Jane’s tireless crusade of hope and environmental action proved that one woman can indeed make a huge difference in the world.
Jane’s groundbreaking research with chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania, showed the world that animals are sentient and intelligent. Humans do not occupy the top spot in a hierarchy of relevance or worth, we are all connected, we depend on one another.
"Dr. Jane Goodall brought so much light into this world, demonstrating beautifully what one person can achieve," says Jill Tiefenthaler, chief executive officer of the National Geographic Society. "To know Jane was to know an extraordinary scientist, conservationist, humanitarian, educator, mentor and, perhaps most profoundly, an enduring champion for hope.
A cherished member of the National Geographic community for more than 60 years, Jane forever changed our relationship with nature and, in turn, our own humanity. We are grateful to be among those who learned from her, shared her convictions and will continue to carry her light forward.”
Read National Geographic’s tribute to Jane Goodall’s life here.
Thank you, Jane, for your advocacy for animals and nature. Your light shines on. May you rest in peace.
Keeper Mary Lengees with orphan elephant, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Kenya ©kathykarn
“We should be kind to animals because it makes better humans of us all,” Jane Goodall.
David Sheldrick Orphanage Keeper with Raha, rescued orphan rhino ©kathykarn
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