Post by The Jane Goodall Institute UK

“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 Jane was a young girl dreaming of travelling to Africa to study animals, many people told her it was impossible. As she often recalled, they dismissed her as “just a girl.” But one person never doubted her. Her mother, Vanne. Instead of discouraging Jane, Vanne told her that if she truly wanted something, she should work hard, seize opportunities, and never give up. That belief changed everything. With her mother’s support, Jane followed her passion and went on to transform science. Her groundbreaking discoveries about chimpanzees using tools challenged long-held beliefs about what makes humans unique. At the time, her approach of patiently observing animals living freely in the wild was revolutionary. Today, generations of scientists, conservationists, and changemakers trace their inspiration back to Jane. For many women especially, seeing someone like Jane in the field made them believe they could be there too. Whenever someone thanked Jane for paving the way, she would often return to the same thought: it all began with her mother’s encouragement. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate not only Jane’s extraordinary legacy, but also the quiet power of those who believe in us before the world does. 📷: Jane Goodall Institute, Hugo van Lawick #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026