Dr. Jane Goodall

Who she is: 

Jane Goodall is renowned for her decades-long study of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania, where she observed their family dynamics, emotions, and even tool use; discoveries that have changed how scientists understand animals. She later founded the Jane Goodall Institute to protect great apes and their habitats worldwide. In 2025, she received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions to science and conservation.

 

Why she matters: 

Goodall showed that careful, respectful observation can reveal big scientific truths, and that science and compassion belong together. Her work helped inspire modern conservation and encouraged generations of young people, particularly through her Roots & Shoots programs.to take local action for wildlife and the environment. Her early findings on chimpanzee tool use and social behavior are still taught in schools today.