Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall with a couple of her dearest chimps. (National Geographic (Nick Nichols))

"Change happens by listening then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don't believe is right,"(Jane Goodall). Jane Goodall's life purpose is to make the world a more sustaining, safe place for people and animals, by taking the first step. In the city of London, England, Dame Jane Goodall was born to Mortimer Herbert Goodall and Margaret Myfanwe, on April 3 of 1934 (Green).  In the book written about Goodall, entitled Jane Goodall: A Biography, the author Meg Greene explains the rare passion that Jane Goodall developed at a young age: "If early interests in a young life offer a clue to a child's destiny, then Jane Goodall forged her path at a tender age,"(Greene). Her undeniable passion was nourished by her mother, and in result, flourished into an obsession with creatures of all shapes and sizes (Green). A hero must obtain the courage to fight for what is right and have a passion to drive them to do so. When someone has courage, they have "the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty...," (Dictionary.com).  Jane Goodall possesses the valuable traits of courage and passion, therefore she is a hero.

Jane Goodall leaning beside La Vieille, the chimp. (National Geographic (Nick Nichols))

The primatologist's everlasting courage throughout her years of work in Gombe Stream National Park of Tanzania have resulted in multiple successes involving the research and protection of her beloved chimpanzees. At the onset of her research career, the inexperienced Jane Goodall was one of three women picked by paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey to observe chimpanzees in Gombe (Green). Jane has the amazing ability to continuously and courageously fight for animals research, even when it wasn't the easiest or safest thing to do: "By any measure, it's a near-impossible challenge. Proceeding carefully, patiently, Jane and her fellow scientists have achieved some encouraging gains in the form of community cooperation, decreased burning, and  natural forest regeneration," (Quammen). At this point in time, Gombe was not the safest place for research, but as courageous and persistent as Goodall was and still is, she continued to improve Gombe in any way that she could. Goodall stuck with her cause and continued to push the exploration of chimpanzee studies and discovery for as long and as safe as possible. In her years of work, as well as in her later life, Jane persistently spread her message to anyone who would listen, in hopes of ending the inhumane and barbaric nature of humans, that animals have been forced to face. "The 79-year-old scientist spoke to 5,000 university faculty, students, K-12 students, and members of the community. Her words were inspirational and timely, as she shared her experiences and encouraged more academics to believe in themselves as they open up new doors of scientific discovery," (Pickering). It takes a lot conviction and faith to speak out about something you believe in, especially to people who might or might not have the same views as you. Knowing this, Jane courageously conveyed her message to these people, in hopes of spreading her ideas. As well as projecting her stories and cause, Goodall sparked hope and endurance among her captivated  audience. Without her empowering courage, Jane Goodall would not have been able to achieve the success that she has earned herself today.

A mother chimpanzee, with two of her sons. (National Geographic (Nick Nichols))

Jane Goodall holds a rare, thriving, passion to help animals that she has known her whole life. This same passion has led her to successfully achieve her goals and help improve the lives of countless animals. "'The more we learn of the true nature of non-human animals, especially those with complex brains and corresponding complex social behaviour, the more ethical concerns are raised regarding their use in the service of man-whether this be in entertainment, as 'pets,' for food, in research laboratories or any of the other uses to which we subject them,'" ("Jane Goodall"). Goodall makes a great point: if we all better understood animals, maybe it would push us to end the mistreatment of them for good. Jane Goodall encourages and radiates her same passion to the people around her,  to help them understand why the welfare of animals is such a huge and important cause. On any occasion that she had the chance to speak, she took full advantage of the opportunity to spread awareness about her cause: "On her speaking engagements, she graphically described the lab conditions she had viewed, urging her audiences to get involved and push for the more humane treatment of animals used for lab research..Her relentless pursuit of better conditions led the United States government to amend existing regulations, emphasizing that labs concentrate on performance rather than on engineering standards. This simply meant that the environment and treatment of all lab animals had to show improvement to continue research and testing," (Greene page 124). Seeing the obscene treatment of these of lab chimpanzees, Goodall ardently stood up and continuously fought towards a better future for these chimps. She used her power and influence to change a horrible cycle of mistreatment, which made an immense step toward the discontinuance of abuse of all animals. Jane Goodall exudes an extraordinary passion and ability to courageously spark change within a community, especially one that has developed a course of  atrocious actions against animals.

Jane relaxing on a lake, just outside of Gombe. (New York Times Magazine (Michael Christopher Brown/Magnum))

Heroism is much more than physical appearance, it is the traits that one possesses. Jane Goodall is passionate and courageous, and fights for her abiding love for animals. She follows all of my requirements of what it means to be an influential and inspirational role model, therefore she is a hero. She is a passionate woman who has devoted her whole life to the well being and studies of animals. Her everlasting effort benefited science, the hopeful people who listened to her and most of all, the animals. Jane has always been such strong female figure that I look up to. Jane's fiery spirit has been a heavy impact on my love for animals, as well as my look on career choices and the world as a whole. I truly and honestly aspire to be someone like Jane Goodall, who humbly radiates humanity, courage and passion. She has inspired me to pursue a veterinary career, where I can hopefully make a difference and impact the lives of animals. I too have a passion for nature and wildlife, and believe in ending the exploitation of animals. Goodall has encouraged me to think outside of myself, and instead focus my efforts and thinking toward the well being of animals in need. "Although many scientists questioned the wisdom of sending an untrained person into the field, Goodall made a string of stunning discoveries, including two important findings in her first year:chimpanzees are carnivorous, and they use tools,"(Advances in Understanding Nonhuman Primate Behavior). Jane's success has proven the ones who doubted her,  while also confirming the power of passion. Jane Goodall has rightfully earned the title of a hero, but not because of her wealth, fame and success. Goodall is a hero for  her timeless passion, ceaseless courage, and her heart of gold.

Works Cited

"Advances in Understanding Nonhuman Primate Behavior." Science and Its Times, edited by Neil Schlager and Josh Lauer, vol. 7, Gale, 2001. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CV2643450752/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=9a826d91. Accessed 1 May 2017.

"Being Jane Goodall." Being Jane Goodall - National Geographic Magazine, David Quammen, Oct. 2010,            ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/10/jane-goodall/quammen-text. Accessed 5 May 2017.

Brown/Magnum, Michael Christopher. "New York Times Magazine." New York Times Magazine, 13 Mar. 2015, static01.nyt.com/images/2015/03/15/magazine/15goodall01/15mag-15goodall.t_CA3-superJumbo.jpg. Accessed 15 May 2017.

"Courage." Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/courage. Accessed 10 May 2017.

Greene, Meg. Jane Goodall: a Biography. Amherst, NY, Prometheus Books, 2008.

Jane Goodall." Environmental Encyclopedia, edited by Deirdre S. Blanchfield, Gale, 2009. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K2644110046/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=6d247a78. Accessed 1 May 2017.

"Jane Goodall Quotes." BrainyQuote, Xplore, www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/jane_goodall.html.

Accessed 9 May 2017.

Nichols, Nick. "National Geographic." National Geographic, 3 Apr. 2011, proof.nationalgeographic.com/files/2014/04/proof-jane-goodall-128400.jpg. Accessed 15 May 2017.

Pickering, Lisa. "Jane Goodall and the Courage of Her Convictions · Guardian Liberty Voice." Guardian Liberty Voice, 23 Aug. 2016, guardianlv.com/2014/03/jane-goodall-and-the-courage-of-her-convictions/. Accessed 9 May 2017.

Wilford, John Noble. "With a Founding Mother in the Field of Primatology." New York Times, 17 Apr. 2007, p. F4(L). Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A162152517/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=51c0318e. Accessed 1 May 2017.