February 2010
Jane's Visit with President Jimmy Carter
Jane is in Georgia this week for a number of speaking engagements in Atlanta and at Young Harris College. Yesterday, she paid a visit to an old and dear friend, former President Jimmy Carter at The Carter Center. Jane first met President Carter a number of years ago and they've since enjoyed a dialogue about issues of the day, particularly related to global health and peace.
A Carter Center project that Jane is particularly interested in is the Guinea Worm Disease Eradication Program, which aims to bring an end to this terrible disease in Africa. The Carter Center has become a leader in worldwide peace building, guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering and seeking to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.
Take a look at these behind-the-scenes photos below and be sure to continue reading the Where in the World is Dr. Jane? blog for more updates about Jane's travels in Georgia!
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| Jane and President Carter. |
Update from the Road - DC, New York and More!
While Jane was stuck in Washington, DC during the epic snow storm last week, she recorded a video message about what she's been up to recently. Take a look at Jane's video update from the road. Although many of Jane's appointments were unfortunately cancelled, she still was able to pay a visit to National Public Radio's Science Friday program. You can hear the interview here in case you missed it!
From Washington, DC it was on to New York City this weekend for a variety of meetings. Jane will next be traveling to Atlanta and Young Harris College for a lecture later this week. More information about public appearances in Georgia are listed on the JGI calendar of events. Stay tuned for more updates from that trip!
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| Yesterday, Jane and Mr. H visited with Adam Wallace of the Roger Smith Hotel in New York City. The Roger Smith Hotel and its owner, Mr. James Knowles have been fantastic supporters of JGI over the years. |
Photo by Mary Lewis
Happy Valentine's Day from Dr. Jane
Although Jane was in Washington, DC this week stuck in the terrible blizzard that left the city with nearly two feet of snow, she wanted to make sure to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! Take a look at Jane's special Valentine's Day video message.
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You can also send a terrific JGI Valentine's Day photo e-card like the one above by visiting our website.
The Jane Goodall Institute does not endorse the handling of wild chimpanzees. The chimpanzee in this photograph is an orphan who lives at the Institute's Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in the Republic of Congo. These orphans are the youngest victims of the commercial bushmeat trade - a practice that is pushing chimpanzees and other endangered species to the brink of extinction.
The Story of Mr. H - Jane's Traveling Companion
If you have ever met Jane in person you know that she is never without Mr. H, a unique toy monkey with a special story. Here in Jane's own words is the story of her traveling companion:
Mr. H is not just any stuffed toy; he has a story to tell. It all began in 1996 when Mr. H - the original Mr. H - was given to me for my birthday by my great friend Gary Haun. Gary lost his eyesight when he was 25 years old in the U.S. Marines. He made up his mind that he would not allow his blindness to destroy his life. When Gary decided to learn magic. he was told he'd never really be much good without sight.
But he became a very, very good magician. He does shows for kids and they don't even realize he is blind. And then he tells them all the other things he's learned to do -- scuba diving, cross-country skiing, blind golf, judo and karate, just to name a few of his accomplishments. Gary's message is simple: "Don't give up when something goes wrong in your life. Work hard and you can overcome most obstacles."
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| Jane with Gary Haun, her friend who gave her Mr. H as a gift. |
Gary thought the original Mr. H was a chimp; I made Gary hold his tail. "You have no excuse," I said. "Chimps don't have tails." "Never mind," Gary said, unabashed. "Take him wherever you go and you'll know I'm with you in spirit." Now in 2010, Mr. H has visited more than 60 countries with me and has been touched by over 2.5 million people from around the world.
I tell everyone that when they touch him some of the inspiration that I get from Gary will rub off on them. Mr. H cannot carry his message of inspiration to all the millions of people who want to touch him, so we are asking Mr. H Junior to help. Just as I take the original Mr. H with me, you can take Mr. H Junior wherever you go, and help us to share the inspiring story with the people you meet. He will make people smile and we need more smiles.
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Mr. H hangs out in the Los Angeles Airport. Photo by John Trybus |
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Jane and Mr. H brave a rain storm in Texas. Photo by Mary Lewis |
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Mr. H Juniors take over an event in Austria! Photo by Gudrun Schindler |
Although Mr. H is one-of-a-kind, his story has inspired the creation of Mr. H Junior, who is available at the JGI store.
Film Shoot in Munich
One of Jane's passions is living a vegetarian lifestyle. Being vegetarian is healthier not only for the consumer but also the environment.
While Jane was in Germany briefly last week she shared her thoughts on the subject for an upcoming Belgium film about decreasing meat consumption and factory farming around the world, and the impact such a movement would make. The film is in the beginning stages and the crew will also be filming in India, Congo, and Brazil. Take a look at the behind-the-scenes photos from the film shoot below.
Jane had this to say after the filming: "Even if one does not become a vegetarian, it would make a huge difference to give up meat for one day a week. So imagine giving it up for two or three. Then the benefits to health would be felt, and the environment and animals would benefit too."
Jane's thoughts about responsible eating are also featured in her best-selling book, Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating.
"It is not too late to change direction. We can once again become connected with the food we eat, and learn to understand its nature and its history and embrace a more natural diet," Jane writes in Harvest for Hope. You can purchase a copy of the book at the JGI store.
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| The interview was conducted in a very sleek building in Munich with a beautiful modern staircase in the background. |
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| Jane joins Manu Coeman, the director of the film (left), and Yvan Beck. |
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| Jane cares deeply about the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle and happily shared her message of responsible eating in the film. |
Photos courtesy of Yvan Beck
Dr. Jane and the Necklace
As Jane travels the world - and airport after airport - she meets many people along the way. Often the interaction starts when someone whispers "is that really Jane Goodall?" and Jane responds with a cheerful "Hello! How are you?"
On a recent stop at the Los Angeles International Airport, Jane met a new friend named Michael Kane, who happened to be on the same flight. After speaking about their mutual interest in Native American culture, Michael removed a beautiful red and turquoise stone necklace he had been wearing and insisted Jane accept his gift of friendship. Jane of course loved the necklace and has been wearing it at many high-profile events. Take a look below!
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| Michael Kane, of the Cherokee Nation, after presenting Jane with a special necklace at the Los Angeles Airport. |
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| Jane and her new necklace were broadcast to millions of households during an interview with Bill Moyers in November. Check out the interview here in case you missed it. Photo by Claire Jones. |
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| When Jane met famous photographer Annie Leibovitz in Long Beach, California she wore the necklace! |
Jane receiving the 2009 Women's Conference Minerva Award from Maria Shriver in October - in front of over 25,000 people! |
Photos by John Trybus
A Special Drawing for Jane
Jane received a very special picture from a member of Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots program recently.
The young artist, Isabella from Florida, had this to say about her drawing:
"I was inspired to create the illustration of Dr. Jane posing with Sophie because Dr. Jane is a phenomenal person. In my illustration, I wanted to convey kindness through Dr. Jane's face, and a feeling of uncertainty through Sophie's. I wanted to do this for Dr. Jane as gratitude because she has done so much for others - chimpanzees and humans alike."
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| Jane loved the special picture and signed a copy for Isabella. |
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| Isabella, joined by her sister Lulu, at work on the picture she created for Jane. |
Photos courtesy of Lisette Dipasquale
The Jane Photo of the Week
Last September, while Jane was in Washington, DC as part of her book tour to promote Hope for Animals and Their World: How Endangered Species are Being Rescued from the Brink she stole a few minutes from her busy schedule to visit with Chris Lucash, a red wolf biologist who is featured in the book.
Chris is part of the Red Wolf Recovery Project which has helped increase the numbers of wild-born red wolves in the United States. As Jane writes, the project has been so successful that it won America's highest conservation honor in 2007, the North American Conservation Award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
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Photo by Christin Jones
