Anthropologically Speaking...

More than a few times in my blog, I have mentioned Todd's sister, Jill. She is a professor at Iowa State University and a doctor of Anthropology.

Last year, her ongoing research in Senegal, Africa, made front-page, headline news all around the world when she videotaped chimpanzees fashioning spears and using them to hunt and kill other animals. This put the biological and historical Anthropology worlds on their ears, as now we have to rethink our theories behind who made the first tools and who was first to do what throughout the evolution of man's mind and capabilities.

Jill has been interviewed by and quoted in some of the world's most respected publications, including the New York Times, the London Times, Associated Press, NPR and the BBC. Google the words "Jill Pruetz" and over 7,000 pages are found.

It's been about a year now since Jill released her research. Film crews and documentary-makers are just about done with their footage, while photographers and journalists have gotten their shots and spent days on end in the field with Jill. Now the fun part begins.

Starting in February, you will start seeing Jill all over the news. It will start with her being interviewed on the Today Show on NBC sometime during the week of February 14 - 21. This will be for the purpose of promoting her NOVA special on PBS, titled, "Ape Genius," which airs February 19 at 8:00 PM Eastern.

Also in mid-February, the month's National Geographic magazine will feature Jill's findings as the cover and feature story.

Finally, in March, the National Geographic Channel will air a special documentary about Jill's chimps and her findings.

We are so proud of Jill. Her work has incredible worldwide and historical ramifications -- she has literally caused the world's greatest minds to rethink and reanalyze theories that have been in place for centuries. Text books will be re-written with her findings and long after her time on Earth, the name Dr. Jill Pruetz will be taught and revered. WOW.

To me, this is such a juxtaposition of worlds. I see Dr. Jill Pruetz, renowned Anthropologist, on TV and magazine covers, but I experience Jill, my husband's sister and the woman who calls and sings messages on my home phone with songs that she knows will be stuck in my head for days. She bought Devin a Transformers voice-changing helmet for Christmas, and then proceeded to spend the entire day playing with it herself and chasing her dogs around the yard with it on her head. She drinks Shiner beer, listens to AC/DC and could eat pizza for every meal if she had the chance.

Jill is an extraordinary person not only for what she's done, but who she is. She's a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. I hope you'll join us in supporting her by following her story through the worldwide media.

I'll keep you updated on specific dates and times.