Jane Fonda Honored for Lifetime Achievements and Activism

At the 2025 SAG Awards, actress and activist Jane Fonda received a Lifetime Achievement award, celebrating her illustrious career and unwavering commitment to social justice. Fonda, at 87, used her acceptance speech to emphasize the importance of empathy and courage in today’s world.

Fonda’s career spans decades, with acclaimed performances in films like “9 to 5,” “On Golden Pond,” and “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” as well as popular TV series such as Netflix’s “Grace and Frankie.” She has earned two Oscars, seven Golden Globes, an Emmy, and numerous other accolades. Beyond her acting, she is known for her passionate activism, advocating for causes including peace, climate action, and women’s rights. In 2005, she co-founded the Women’s Media Center to amplify women’s voices in media.

During her speech, Fonda reflected on her unconventional career path, including a 15-year hiatus that revitalized her purpose. She highlighted the significance of unions, particularly SAG-AFTRA, noting that actors create “empathy,” a vital force in understanding and connecting with others. She emphasized that empathy is not a sign of weakness but a moral imperative, especially in turbulent times: “Woke” simply means caring about others.

Fonda concluded by urging the audience to recognize the current moment as a pivotal time for social change. She asked whether we would have had the courage to stand in the face of injustice in past social movements, and emphasized that now, we’re living through our own defining chapter. “This is our documentary moment,” she declared. “This is it, and we must be brave.”