Esteemed anthropologist and conservationist Dr. Valerie Jane-Morris Goodall worked her entire life to ensure the preservation and restoration of the natural world. She tirelessly advocated against climate change and spent her final years researching methods that could undo the countless environmental impacts of pollution. Perhaps her signature contribution, Goodall’s study of primates, particularly chimpanzees (chimps), furthered scientists’ understanding of one of humanity’s closest relatives. Her study of chimps slimmed the perceived gap between humans and apes to not appear as drastic as scientists once thought, rethinking the boundary that separates humans and animals. Goodall’s boldness in pursuing a predominantly male career also demonstrated how she redefined the scientific field for people of all backgrounds.
“Women in science and activism help promote change throughout global communities by inspiring youth to pursue good in the world. They also promote change by educating people to be informed about world issues and how they can help. A sign of a great activist is how they bring other people up and help bring people together to create real change in the world,” magnet sophomore William Nichols said.
Born in London April 3, 1934, Goodall showed interest in the natural world at a young age. She enjoyed spending hours observing animals and bugs, a curiosity first piqued by her beloved family pets. While her family cared for multiple animals over the years, no one expected that intrigue in Goodall to extend to her professional career. She wished to work with animals and the environment; however, she decided to put that dream of dedicating her life to nature behind her and worked as a waitress. Later on, she joined a documentary filming company and saved every penny toward her dream of traveling to Africa. Finally, at age 23, Goodall left her life in the U.K. and departed for a friend’s farm in Kenya. Her dreams of exploring the outdoors finally came to life, and her next endeavor would only further that.
While boarding a ship to visit her friends and family, she encountered paleoanthropologist Dr. Louis Seymour Bazett Leakey, who offered her a job at the local natural history museum. Seeing her passion, he helped her travel to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, where she first studied chimpanzees. She lived among them in tents staked deep in the rainforest. She observed that the apes could create and use tools, and that they demonstrated complex emotions and personalities. This discovery shattered the notion that the title of sentient and highly intelligent creatures only belonged to humans. These findings, while originally met with skepticism, eventually shocked the world through a 1965 National Geographic Documentary. She continued to study apes, but after attending a 1986 conference about the consequences of deforestation and threats to chimpanzee habitats, she shifted her focus to conservation efforts.
In 1991, Goodall established the Roots & Shoots program, a youth-led organization that empowers young individuals to undertake projects for the sake of the environment, animals and people. In the latter half of 2023, she embarked on her “Reasons for Hope” tour, which featured Goodall speaking on the extent of human innovation, the resilience of nature and the indomitable human spirit, as well as the importance of diversity in improving the lives of all.
“From my perspective, gender, racial and other types of diversity are truly crucial in order to make a change in technologies or in creating new innovations. Not only does diversity allow for more input from more people, but it also allows us to look at a greater picture of the world. Some technologies wouldn’t even be around right now without the diversity we see today, and that recurring theme will allow us to continue to advance our world as a whole,” magnet sophomore Stephany Rodriguez-Peliz said.
Before she could conclude her tour, she unfortunately passed away October 1, 2025, from natural causes. Despite her death, Goodall’s research will continue to inspire the youth of the world, encouraging the protection of Earth’s environment. She paved the way for women in science while also connecting with all people on an emotional level, inspiring a lasting change.
