Jane Goodall Showed the World How Truth Well Told Can Change Humanity

Jane Goodall, who forever changed the way the world understands animals and ourselves, died Wednesday at the age of 91. The Jane Goodall Institute announced that she passed away of natural causes while on a speaking tour in California.

“Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world,” the Institute said in a statement.

At 26, Goodall arrived in what is now Gombe, Tanzania, under the mentorship of Dr. Louis Leakey. Her groundbreaking observation that chimpanzees make and use tools challenged entrenched scientific assumptions and redefined humanity’s relationship with other animals. Her findings expanded science but also showcased the power of clear, compelling storytelling to reshape the global conversation about nature.

Goodall’s life became a master class in communication. She built a global platform not only through research but by framing complex science into narratives the public could understand and act on. Her approach offers lessons for communicators today: simplify without diminishing, remain authentic, and lead with both facts and hope.

She founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, now with 24 global chapters, which advances community-led conservation, supports sanctuaries caring for nearly 200 chimpanzees, and sustains the longest-running study of wild chimpanzees. Her Roots & Shoots program has inspired young changemakers in 70 countries to take action for animals, people, and the environment.

Her reach went far beyond the scientific community. She became a best-selling author, a sought-after speaker, and a trusted media voice across television, film, and podcasts. In 2025, President Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. “This recognition reflects the hope and action of so many people who inspire and motivate me every day,” Goodall said at the time.

Anna Rathmann, Executive Director at the Jane Goodall Institute USA, reflected: “Jane’s own personal evolution from world-renowned scientist to global conservation advocate is a stunning example of each individual’s ability to make a positive impact.”

For communicators, her legacy demonstrates that authenticity builds trust, consistency creates credibility, and hope sustains movements. She showed that a communicator’s job is not only to transmit information but to inspire action.

Goodall once said that every day we make a difference, and it is up to us what kind of difference we make. She proved that truth well told is powerful enough to change how humanity sees itself and its responsibilities to the natural world.