Remembering Jane Goodall: A Look Back at Her Inspiring 2023 Visit to Plymouth South High School
Her speech was deeply personal, as she recounted the origins of her lifelong passion and the simple dream she formed as a ten-year-old girl reading Tarzan of the Apes.
The world is mourning the loss of Dr. Jane Goodall, the groundbreaking primatologist and conservationist whose work inspired generations. Here in Plymouth, her passing is felt with a personal resonance, as the community fondly remembers her unforgettable visit to Plymouth South High School on Monday, September 25, 2023. During her visit, Dr. Goodall spoke to 450 students in person and another 1,000 via livestream, sharing her story and the mission of the Jane Goodall Institute’s youth program, “Roots & Shoots.” The program is dedicated to empowering young people to create positive change in their communities.
Her speech was deeply personal, as she recounted the origins of her lifelong passion and the simple dream she formed as a ten-year-old girl reading Tarzan of the Apes. “I will grow up. Go to Africa, and live with wild animals and write books about them,” she decided. She shared that this dream was initially met with skepticism. “Everybody laughed at me,” she recalled them saying. “How will you do that? Africa’s far away... and you don’t have money. And anyway you’re just a girl. Dream about something you can achieve.”
It was her mother’s encouragement that set her on her path. Dr. Goodall shared the advice that became a cornerstone of her message to young people everywhere. “But not my mother,” she told the students. “What she said to me I say to young people all around the world... she said, ‘if you really want to do something like this, you’re going to have to work extremely hard, take advantage of every opportunity, and if you don’t give up, hopefully you find a way.’”
That powerful message of perseverance clearly left its mark. At the time, PSHS Principal Patty Fry reflected, “I deeply appreciate Dr. Goodall’s ability to connect with high school students and encourage them to follow their dreams.” The students from the school’s TV group, Panther TV, also had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when student Jesse Hayes interviewed the global icon.
As we reflect on her incredible life and legacy, the community has the opportunity to revisit the powerful message she shared with Plymouth’s students. The full speech was made available to the public on Vimeo. To watch Dr. Jane Goodall’s inspiring talk at Plymouth South High School and hear her timeless words once more, you can visit the following link: vimeo.com/871845211?share=copy.
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