An Evening with Jane Goodall at Harvard University

Last week, Dr. Jane Goodall updated her Facebook status with the following quote, “We each have the choice, every minute of every day, about what impact we’re going to make on the Earth.”

Throughout her 50-year career, world-renowned primatologist, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace, Dr. Goodall, has embodied the statement above through her ground-breaking and influential work to make our planet a better place.

The draw to Africa developed early-on for the young Brit who found inspiration from books such as Tarzan and Dr. Doolittle. It was Goodall’s supportive and forward-thinking mother who laid the foundation for Jane’s inner strength telling her, “You can do whatever you put your mind to.”

Fifty years ago, 25-year old Goodall bravely traveled to Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park where she pioneered her famous chimpanzee behavioral research. Her findings have provided a wealth of scientific discovery including topics such as societal patterns, tool-making, and the complex emotional behaviors of chimpanzees.

Today, Jane’s focus has broadened to a global mission to empower people, especially youth, through her Roots & Shoots program and the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), which stresses the importance of conservation, community, wildlife and the environment.

Dr. Goodall will be speaking at Harvard University next Monday, May 3 about the 50^th anniversary of her research at Gombe Stream National Park. All of us here in the Thomson Safaris office are excited to hear her speak; maybe she will grace us with a few of her signature chimp calls? Regardless, we are eager to be inspired by the words and experiences of this extraordinary woman. Join us! Tickets are still available here: Harvard’s Sanders Theatre box office.