College Relations

Contact --- Jim Glynn at 978-542-7519 or james.glynn@salemstate.edu

SALEM - She spoke softly from the heart but her words carried a message that was loud and clear.

"I cannot argue with statistics," Jane Goodall told a capacity crowd of 2,000 Monday at Salem State College's O'Keefe Center. "I cannot deny the numbers and the charts that tell us we are destroying our planet. But I can still have hope."

Goodall, the renowned social activist and chimpanzee researcher, told the captivated Speaker Series audience there's no doubt the human race has inflicted many wounds on the earth. Yet, she remains hopeful the world will not be destroyed. And she had four reasons. "The human mind is capable of solving tremendous problems," she said. Also, nature is "remarkably resilient, "children have the energy and enthusiasm to change our course," and "the human spirit is indomitable."

Goodall provided real-life stories to support her reasons for hope and reached out to the young people to make a difference. "If everybody does one good thing every day, the world can be a better place," she said.

She also urged young people to get involved in her "Roots & Shoots" organization.

Three local high school students were recognized prior to the lecture for essays and poems they had written. The essays were inspired by a passage from Goodall's book, "Reason for Hope." The three students are: Lauren Colanto from Beverly High and Sharon Newman and Emily Skinner from Masconomet High School.

Jane Goodall, second from right, is joined by essay contest winners Sharon Newman, Lauren Colanto and Emily Skinner (from left) prior to her speaking engagement at Salem State College.

Jane Goodall takes time out after her press conference to sign autographs for young fans.

Jane Goodall poses with students from Meritor Academy in Middleton. The Meritor students asked several questions during Goodall's press conference.