Just over ten years ago, Jane Goodall, primatologist and long-time animal rights activist, visited Trinity as part of the DeCoursey Lecture Series, giving a speech entitled “Sowing the Seeds of Hope.” On Oct. 1, the scientist-turned-activist died at the age of 91 from natural causes in California in the midst of a speaking tour. During her lecture at Trinity, she urged students to work together to spread awareness about the environmental harm humanity has caused. 

Goodall emphasized the importance of social media advocacy during her lecture. She said that our modern level of communication has been unfathomable for years, and that it is crucial for people to use this resource to share what they know. She questioned if it was too late, if we were too far gone and if the world was doomed to be destroyed by humanity. 

“I do think we don’t have much time. I think maybe there’s a window of time. Maybe it’s wishful thinking. Nevertheless, I truly believe there is something we can do about it,” Goodall told the audience.

She showed the crowd a picture of a forest, saying that it used to be treeless hills. She shared that despite the destruction she saw in the world, this photo was a representation of her hope for the future. “And every day, we have a choice. What kind of difference are we going to make,” Goodall asked. 

Goodall spent her mid-20s studying chimpanzee behavior in Africa. Fellow researchers criticized her for attributing human emotions to animals, but modern scientists acknowledged merit in her approach. After studying chimpanzees, she advocated for animal rights and founded the Jane Goodall Institute, with the mission of protecting primate habitats. 

Jennifer Mathews, professor of sociology and anthropology, referred to Jane Goodall as one of her academic heroes. Mathews met Goodall during her 2015 Trinity speech. 

“I was so nervous meeting her, but she was totally gracious,” Mathews said. 

According to Mathews, Goodall’s research impacted her curriculum. In her human evolution courses, Mathews has her students visit the nearby zoo to study primates. 

“They gain a lot of respect for what it takes to take care of those primates to be an animal caretaker, for example, but also what it takes to do the kind of work Jane Goodall does,” Mathews said.

The students must spend 10 hours observing in the beginner classes and 25 hours in the advanced classes. They develop a research tool and choose which primate species to study. This assignment helps students understand the primates’ enclosure conditions and study how zoos and zoologists can improve those conditions, Mathews said. 

Charlotte Brod, sophomore anthropology major and student in Mathews’ human evolution course, is currently studying black-and-white ruffed lemurs. She stated that it is interesting to see how the lemurs act around the constant presence of humans that they aren’t used to in the wild. This assignment has allowed her to see how primates and humans can interact and connect, noting how the zookeepers would imitate the lemurs’ calls, and the lemurs would respond. 

“They aren’t just working at the zoo, they’re actively building relationships with these primates,” Brod said.

Brod and Mathews attested that Goodall’s activism impacted the way they view the world. Because of Goodall’s work, they are more aware of the environmental impact certain products can have and unethical practices within certain industries. Another one of Mathews’ students, Thea Suplis, senior anthropology and biology double-major, said that Goodall’s work influenced the way that scientists studied animals and the way that she went about her own study of primates at the zoo. 

“Dr. Goodall is definitely a pillar of who I want to be,” Suplis said. 

Mathews said that Goodall spent extended time traveling, and she appreciated her consistent drive to advocate and make a difference. For Mathews and the students in her class, Goodall’s work continues to shape how the university community approaches environmental and animal studies. According to Mathews and Suplis, Goodall’s example continues to inform academic and personal commitments to understanding and protecting the natural world.