@suzanagartner
Honoring a hero for humanity, animals, and our Mother Earth
The world is still mourning the loss of Dr. Jane Goodall. She was an extraordinary human being, a trailblazer who dedicated her life to the animals, the environment, and to awakening our hearts.
As an animal advocate, her work has been meaningful to me before I understood the scale of her impact. Even as a child, I was captivated by her courage as a powerful, brave woman, and compassion. There will never be anyone quite like her. Just last month, I was interviewed for a media feature in Medium magazine, and asked, “If you could have coffee with anyone in the world — who would it be?” Without hesitation, I said: I would love to meet Dr. Jane Goodall.
I know that time will never come. Shortly before her passing, I asked my husband to order a book she co-authored. I felt a pull to read it— and, more than ever, the book will be cherished.
One of the most touching parts of her story, is from her childhood: a photo of Jane as a child holding a stuffed chimpanzee, Jubilee, a gift from her father. Was this a prompting for her to dream of a life with animals, to one day live in Africa, and study wildlife? That same boldness carried her into the Gombe forests, where she changed the world’s understanding of animals.
Dr. Goodall’s message was simple yet powerful: that every life matters. That we must protect animals and this beautiful, fragile planet we share with them. As I reflect on her life and mourn her passing, I return to a quote from her book, The Book of Hope, which I hold close to my heart: “Hope is contagious. Your actions matter. You matter. You make a difference.”
– Dr. Jane Goodall
Her legacy lives on and is a call to action to honor her life with her mission: to speak up for animals, to protect the planet, and awaken others. As an animal advocate, I promise to do that.
What impact did Dr. Goodall have on your journey?
How has she inspired your love for animals, nature, or activism?
Image credit: Photo by Katherine Holland via Dr. Jane Goodall on Facebook.