Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, esteemed primatologist, conservationist, and humanitarian, has died. The Jane Goodall Institute reported on Wednesday that Goodall passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 91. Social media has been filled with tributes, emphasizing her pioneering research, empathy, and commitment to environmental stewardship.

Born in 1934 in London, England, Goodall’s love for animals was sparked by the Dr. Dolittle and Tarzan stories she read as a child. In her early 20s, she ventured to Africa to study primates, guided by paleontologist Dr. Louis Leakey. She became part of the “Trimates,” a trio of women researching primates under Leakey’s mentorship.

In 1960, Goodall made a revolutionary observation when she saw a chimpanzee using grass blades to extract insects from a mound, disputing the notion that tool use was solely a human trait. “I had been told from school onwards that the best definition of a human being was man the tool-maker — yet I had just watched a chimp tool-maker in action,” Goodall reflected 50 years later. Leakey famously remarked, “Now we must redefine ‘tool,’ redefine ‘man,’ or accept chimpanzees as human.”

Goodall also documented chimpanzees displaying personalities and emotions, including hugging, kissing, fighting, and using tools, and found that they are omnivorous. Her discoveries transformed the perceptions of primates and humanity.

Despite lacking a bachelor’s degree, Leakey facilitated Goodall’s pursuit of a PhD in ethnology, bolstering her academic stature. In 1977, she established the Jane Goodall Institute, emphasizing conservation, education, and community engagement.

Goodall received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Templeton Prize, and Kyoto Prize. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

Goodall remained active in her endeavors until her passing and was slated to deliver a talk in Los Angeles this Friday, motivating others to protect the planet. She is survived by her sister Judy Waters, son Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick, and three grandchildren, Merlin, Angel, and Nick.

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make,” Goodall famously stated.