Student Voices: Michaila Musman on Dr. Jane Goodall

Michaila Musman (IAC 2014-15) attended a talk by Dr. Jane Goodall, the famous primatologist, conservationist, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute (janegoodall.org) and UN Messenger of Peace, at DAR Constitution Hall. Here's her reflection on that event:

This year has been characterized by the discovery of many female role models for me. Seeing Jane Goodall speak at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall added another figure to that list. Jane spoke about the path she took to reach where she stands today: from a curious young animal lover, to a revolutionary researcher, to an activist for animal rights and environmental conservation. She attributed her ability to chase her dream of researching animals to her mother, which really struck me. She said that many parents would have scolded a child for playing in the dirt and following hens into the hen house. Instead, her mother taught compassion for Jane to emulate in the treatment of the animals she loved so much and encouraged her daughter’s curiosity above all else. I realized that my mother played a huge role in my academic character after listening to Jane’s story. She always supported whatever I was most interested in and encouraged me to find the value in things I was not extremely interested in.

Jane’s speech really made me consider my major and what I want to be doing every day. A slide in her slideshow

said, “We have a choice as to what kind of difference we will make today.” This made me think about what kind of change I can influence, big or small. I have always been inspired by people who put the needs of others before their own. Whether this is as a doctor alleviating one person’s pain or a bio researcher discovering a sustainable alternative to a damaging practice humans enact upon our earth, I think helping other people drives me more than anything. I don’t know how exactly I want to go about this, but I think following that inspiration (as Jane tirelessly did throughout her career) will lead me to where I need to go.