The world has grown cold. The clouds have passed over the sun. And a chill remains.
People have asked why we haven’t said something about Jane. It’s been a week. The truth is the words simply won’t come.
How do you capture the impact of someone with such a life-changing impact on your life? There simply is too much to say.
Start with this. The first time we met Jane was thirty years ago. The last time we met was right before her last birthday.
The first meeting was designed to be brief. Our brother Fred Matser called to say she would be in town and that the two of us should find a way to get together. We worked with her scheduler who told us her day was busy but if we could be flexible, he would find half an hour to shoehorn us into her busy schedule.
Angie and I went up to her suite for just a quick tea and were surprised when we were invited to follow her and the JGI Vice President, Mary Lewis, through their day.
After dinner, we went back to her suite and talked some more. We finished the day sitting on the floor, sharing a couple of vices – scotch and dark chocolate.
I still think of her whenever I have one or the other or both. It’s funny how well they go with big dreams and grand schemes. We had plenty of both. By the time that first day was done, Angie and I had agreed to help Jane relocate her Connecticut office to Washington where she could share space with us and she had agreed to join the Heart of America’s Board of Directors.
Whatever one did the other wanted to be part of – I joined the Jane Goodall Institute Board of Directors and when our son Will came along, she honored us by becoming his Godmother. She sent Will hundreds of postcards full of stories and experiences from her travels around the world, connecting him with her and her inspirational work. What a gift!
Jane had already achieved legendary status by the time brother Fred called to arrange our introduction. I remember seeing her on the cover of the National Geographic that introduced her to the world. Even then, I marveled at her age, courage, and commitment. Her scientific achievements changed the world in a way few others could.
The young people who were part of our Heart of America Ambassador Corps could not find a better mentor or example. People who knew us and knew we knew her were always asking for an introduction. She never refused.
Jane Goodall stands as a towering figure in the world of science and conservation. Her pioneering research on chimpanzee behavior and her unwavering dedication to protecting wildlife have inspired countless individuals and changed the way humanity views its relationship with nature.
Jane’s message transcends science. She urges us to approach the world with empathy and respect, reminding us that every individual can make a difference. Her gentle manner and indomitable spirit inspired millions—from schoolchildren to world leaders—to rethink our responsibilities to animals, the environment, and each other.
She left us with this message: Together we can. Together we will.
Together we must change the world.
Jane Goodall and Bill Halamandaris
