About Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE (published by the Washington National Cathedral)

“Jane Goodall was born on April 3, 1934, in London, England. At the young age of 26, she followed her passion for African wildlife to Gombe, Tanzania, where she began her landmark study of chimpanzees in the wild, immersing herself in their habitat as a neighbor rather than a distant observer. Her discovery in 1960 that chimpanzees make and use tools rocked the scientific world and redefined the relationship between humans and animals.

In 1977, she established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) to advance her work around the world and for generations to come. JGI continues the field research at Gombe and builds on Dr. Jane’s innovative approach to conservation, which recognizes the central role that people play in the well-being of animals and the environment. In 1991, she created Roots & Shoots, an environmental and humanitarian program empowering young people of all ages to become involved in hands on projects of their choosing for their community, animals and the environment.

Dr. Goodall was a UN Messenger of Peace and a Dame Commander of the British Empire [DBE]. Most recently, she received the United States’ Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025, for her contributions to science and advocacy for our planet.”