This past Saturday I went to see Jane Goodall speak at Tropicana Field (where the Tampa Bay Rays play). It was a suitable location since there were close to 8,000 of us in attendance.

Jane was in town for a weekend of environmental events centered around her local Roots and Shoots branch (a youth organization focused on conservation).

Jane and her life work with chimpanzees inspired me as a child so it wonderful to finally see her in person.

Her journey to the chimpanzees was difficult but Jane never gave up on her dream. And thank goodness for that, chimpanzees are better off because her love and admiration of them led to protections for them and their habitats.

At 90 years old, Jane had the crowd entranced as she shared her story. We laughed, we cried, and in the end we left feeling hopeful for the future. What an amazing woman!