Jane Goodall Instagram – “The best advice I ever received was from my mother. She said: ‘If you really want something, you have to work hard, take advantage of every opportunity, and never give up.'” – Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE
When young Jane dreamed of going to Africa to study animals, so many people told her it was impossible, dismissing her as, in Jane’s words, “just a girl.” But not her mother, Vanne. Jane often credited her mother’s endless support as the reason she pursued her passion.
Jane went on to change science with her observations that chimpanzees make and use tools. At the time, it wasn’t just remarkable for a woman to be in the field, studying wild animals as they lived — this practice of patient observation was virtually unheard of until Jane blazed the trail.
Today, countless scientists and conservationists credit Jane for inspiring their work, including so many women who saw themselves in Jane. Any time someone approached Jane to thank her for paving the way, she would recall her mother’s words and reflect on how they went on to touch so many lives. As we celebrate #InternationalWomensDay today, let’s honor Jane, and Vanne, by remembering their strength, resilience, and imperative to never give up.
📷: the Jane Goodall Institute, Hugo van Lawick
#IWD #IWD2026 | Posted on 08/Mar/2026 17:32:25
