Remembering Dr. Jane Goodall (1934–2025)
“Each one of us matters, has a role to play, and makes a difference. Each one of us must take responsibility for our own lives, and above all, show respect and love for living things around us, especially each other.”
― Jane Goodall, Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey
Jane Goodall was one of my childhood heroes. A funny fact about me: because of Jane, as a young child, I used to collect stuffed animal monkeys. I probably had 30 or 40 of them!
Dr. Jane became known around the world for her 65-year study of wild chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania. In 1960, she made the groundbreaking discovery that chimpanzees not only use but also create tools. She observed them stripping the leaves off twigs to “fish” for termites. This is significant, because at the time, science held the belief that tool-making was uniquely human. Her discovery fundamentally redefined what it meant to be human and helped widened our understanding of the connections and similarities we had to all of God's creation.
But Jane showed us much more than tool use. She revealed that chimpanzees express emotions such as grief, joy, rage, and reconciliation. Through her work, she forced us to re-examine many of the definitions that were linked to humans alone, such has intelligence, morality, and meaningful relationships. She awakened us to the urgent need to protect chimpanzees, along with countless other species and ecosystems, from extinction.
What made her so inspiring was not only her brilliance, but also her way of connecting with and respecting all creatures. She reminded us that every living being is worthy of compassion, care, and respect. For many of us, she sparked a lifelong love of animals and nature. She helped us realize we are still only beginning to get a glimpse at the vast intelligence, beauty, and mystery held by the living world. Sometimes we just need to take the time to look with love and curiosity to discover what has been there all along. Paying attention and not looking away are forms of activism in of themself.
So today, as we remember and honor Dr. Jane Goodall, I find myself asking: How are we called to be stewards of this Earth? How can we continue to learn to see every living thing as part of the greater family to which we all belong? How do we remember that there isn’t a day that goes by where we do not have an impact on this planet?
So let us remember that each of us, ourselves included, has the power to shape the future we long for. We are ones we have been waiting for. We must care for all living things. We must believe that the greatest and most loving discoveries of our world are still ahead of us. And these discoveries that will come if we continue to look with curiosity, humility, and care.
Rest in power, Jane. Thank you for showing us another way of living and being. Thank you for showing us your love.
With love,
Pastor Eli