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Jane Goodall at 90: An Iconic and Indefatigable Woman
Celebrating a lifetime of science, advocacy, humanitarianism, hope, and peace.
Updated April 10, 2024 Reviewed by Ray Parker
![Thomas D. Mangelsen, Images of Nature/with permission. Thomas D. Mangelsen, Images of Nature/with permission.](https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/article_inline_half_caption/public/field_blog_entry_images/2024-04/Jane%20front%20cover.png.jpg?itok=HdX4s4Tx)
Today is Jane Goodall's 90th birthday. To honor this very special day that is being celebrated globally, my colleague Koen Margodt and I, both close friends and colleagues of Jane, assembled a highly unique book, Jane Goodall at 90: Celebrating an Astonishing Lifetime of Science, Advocacy, Humanitarianism, Hope, and Peace, as a loving tribute from her family and friends to a most amazing, iconic, and indefatigable woman and much more. In this wide-ranging collection of original tributes and some old and new photographs from numerous time zones and continents, we celebrate Jane's 90th birthday with ninety wonderful essays we call "candles." Family, friends, current researchers, former students, other scientists, philosophers, animal and environmental activists, conservationists, colleagues, CEOs, and actors share their love for this most amazing woman.
Many new stories are included, such as how Jane's first scientific lecture in 1962 was received, how she brought a message of hope to the Democratic Republic of Congo amid impending shelling, her love for dogs, chimpanzees, pigs, rats, dolphins, spiders, lobsters, and many other animals, how translators were moved to tears as she spoke her heart, and her incredible sense of humor. Jane loves having fun and unending globe-trotting quests for adventure, and even pretends to be a prairie dog. Here is some information on how the book was made and other topics.
![Source: Hugo van Lawick/with permission. Source: Hugo van Lawick/with permission.](https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/article_inline_half_caption/public/field_blog_entry_images/2024-04/Screenshot%202024-04-03%20at%2011.51.47%E2%80%AFAM.png.jpg?itok=LknEdk6x)
Some topics among numerous other gems include:
![Source: Thomas D. Mangelsen, Images of Nature/with permission. Source: Thomas D. Mangelsen, Images of Nature/with permission.](https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/article_inline_half_caption/public/field_blog_entry_images/2024-04/Screenshot%202024-04-03%20at%2011.50.53%E2%80%AFAM.png.jpg?itok=HZy29o7g)
The Voice in Our Hearts and Heads
A Salute on Your 90th Journey Around the Sun
What the Animals Say When Jane Comes ‘Round
Jane Goodall and Her Love for Lobsters
Animal Advocacy in the Anthropocene
Tanzanian Tribute (from many people who have worked with Dr. Goodall for many decades)
Dayenu: It Would Have Been Enough
Jane Goodall: Our Planet’s Leading Inspirational Force For Good
Jane Goodall: A Legacy of Compassion and Connection
Jane Goodall: Messenger of Peace and Hope and Master Storyteller
Happy Birthday to Jane the Siren
Nine Decades of Advocacy, Inspiration, and Kindness
The Impossible Ubiquity of a Heroic Difference-Maker
Jane Goodall as Scientist
Jane Goodall: The Lighthouse of Love
Dolphins and Dr. Goodall: Amazing Creatures and the Most Amazing Person
A Unique Opportunity to Meet the "Real Jane"
![Thomas D. Mangelsen, Images of Nature/with permission. Thomas D. Mangelsen, Images of Nature/with permission.](https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/article_inline_half_caption/public/field_blog_entry_images/2024-04/Screenshot%202024-04-03%20at%206.04.10%E2%80%AFPM.png.jpg?itok=38gw_ZL6)
There are many surprises in these heartfelt reflections in this book, in addition to what just about everyone knows about this iconic and indefatigable woman who offers hope to everyone she meets no matter where they are. We can hear people saying, "I didn't know that." All in all, these stories and photographs represent who we call the "real Jane"1.
![Marc Bekoff Marc Bekoff](https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/article_inline_full_caption/public/field_blog_entry_images/2024-04/ANIMALS%20MATTER%20DAY.jpg?itok=JqA3rJlK)
References
1) A few of the contributors include Anne Pusey, Anthony Collins, Sir Brian May, Craig Foster, Dave Matthews, Emmanuel Mtiti, Grub van Lawick and grandchildren Angel, Merlin, and Nick, Jae Choe, JGI colleagues, Josphat Ngonyo, Leonardo DiCaprio, Marc Benioff, Mary Lewis, Peter Singer, Rhett Butler, Richard Wrangham, Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix, Satish Kumar, and Shadrack Mkolle Kamenya. I've dedicated the new edition of The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy―and Why They Matter to Jane.
The Making of Jane Goodall at 90. April 9, 2024.
Jane Goodall on turning 90, what she'd like her legacy to be.