The one and only Jane Goodall!

Valerie Jane Morris Goodall (Born April 3, 1934), a fascinating and unique woman who knowing practically nothing about chimpanzees, went to a completely different country alone to study them.  She went all the way to the high mountains of Tanzania, in East Africa.  Jane was only 26 when she left England.  She didn't have a degree or any kind of studies related to animals.  The only thing she had was her natural knowledge, developed by her genuine interest in animals.  Her passion and persistence lead her to become part of the chimpanzee community.  At first, the chimpanzees ran away from her.  After a while of being with them, they finally came to her.  Since that moment on, Jane became the first woman to conduct a documentary on chimpanzees, an also the first to present a chimp documentary in National Geographic’s channel.  She has also become one of the world's most important primatologist.  After many years of studying the chimps, Jane realized they were an endangered species and decided to open an institute, The Jane Goodall Institute, to educate people on the issues related to nature, wild life, and people in general.  Through the institute she also encourages them to take action and do their part in making the world a better place for animals, people, and nature in general.  At this time, Jane still devotes her life to chimpanzees and raising awareness of our planet.  

I admire Jane Goodall in many ways.  First, the fact that, not knowing anything about chimps, she went alone to a foreign country to live with them in the jungle.  I mean, who does that? You have to be very passionate to be willing to encounter the wild like that, especially if you are not fully prepared.  Second, the patience and grace she had through all that years while studying these primates was remarkable.  Finally, not many people care enough about animals and their welfare to take the time to study them, meet them and even build an Institute for them. This woman dedicated her whole life to chimpanzees, to really understand and protect them when nobody else bothered.    It was her dream.