Jane Fonda Champions Empathy and Activism in Powerful SAG Awards Speech

Hollywood icon Jane Fonda took center stage at the SAG Awards, delivering a rousing and impassioned speech as she accepted the SAG Life Achievement Award. The 87-year-old actress, activist, and two-time Oscar winner urged the entertainment industry to embrace empathy and action in today’s turbulent times, reminding her peers of the responsibility that comes with their platform.

“Woke Just Means You Give a Damn”

During her acceptance speech, Fonda spoke about the power of storytelling, emphasizing how actors have a responsibility to create empathy through their craft and use their voices to effect change.

“What we, actors, create is empathy. Our job is to understand another human being so profoundly that we can touch their souls. And make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke. By the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people.”

Her remarks struck a deep chord in the audience, igniting a thunderous round of applause. In an era where “woke” has been weaponized as a divisive term, Fonda’s bold statement reaffirmed her lifelong commitment to justice and social awareness.

Fonda, never one to back down from a challenge, made subtle references to the political landscape, urging people to listen rather than judge.

“A whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening. Even if they’re of a different political persuasion, we need to not judge but listen from our hearts.”

Her words resonated beyond Hollywood, reminding everyone that the fight for empathy and understanding extends far beyond the silver screen.

A Legacy of Strength, Resilience, and Advocacy

With a six-decade career spanning film, television, and theater, Fonda has solidified herself as a Hollywood legend. From ‘Klute,’ ‘Coming Home,’ and ‘9 to 5’ to her more recent roles in ‘Grace & Frankie’ and ‘80 for Brady,’ she has consistently delivered performances that captivate audiences while portraying strong, complex women.

Beyond her on-screen success, Fonda has been a relentless advocate for civil rights, gender equality, and climate action. She has never shied away from taking a stand, even when it meant getting arrested—which she famously did multiple times in 2019 during climate change protests outside the U.S. Capitol.

“I’m a big believer in unions. They have our backs. They bring us into community, and they give us power. Community means power, and this is really important right now when workers’ power has been attacked and community is being weakened.”

Fonda has long understood the importance of collective action, and she emphasized that solidarity is key in turbulent times. Her words were a direct nod to the ongoing challenges facing workers across industries, including those in Hollywood.

A Call to Action for Hollywood and Beyond

As Fonda stood before the SAG Awards audience, she reflected on Hollywood’s history of resistance and activism, referencing the McCarthy era and the entertainment industry’s role in shaping social change. She urged her fellow actors and creatives to recognize the moment they are living in and take a stand.

“Have any of you ever watched a documentary of one of the great social movements—apartheid, civil rights, Stonewall—and asked yourself, would you have been brave enough to walk the bridge? We don’t have to wonder anymore. We are in our documentary moment. This is it, and it’s not a rehearsal!”

Her words challenged both Hollywood and the world beyond to rise to the occasion, reinforcing the idea that silence is not an option in times of injustice.

Fonda’s unwavering passion has always been a driving force in her life. While reflecting on her career, she shared an amusing but deeply meaningful observation:

“I made my first movie in 1958. It was at the tail end of McCarthyism when so many careers were destroyed. Today, it’s helpful to remember, though, that Hollywood resisted.”

Her ability to tie the past to the present was a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of history—and the urgent need to prevent it from repeating itself.

A Standing Ovation for a Hollywood Legend

Fonda’s speech left the audience moved and inspired, a testament to her enduring influence. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who presented the award, summed up Fonda’s impact best:

“For the love of God! Slow down, Jane. You’re making us all look like shit.”

Her humor softened the weight of the moment, but the message was clear—Jane Fonda’s energy, passion, and drive remain unmatched.

As Hollywood continues to navigate uncertain times, Fonda’s voice is a reminder of the industry’s power to shape narratives, inspire action, and champion justice.

She ended her speech with a powerful challenge to her peers and the world:

“We mustn’t, for a moment, kid ourselves about what is happening. This is big-time serious, folks. Let’s be brave. We must not isolate. We must stay in community. We must help the vulnerable. We must find ways to project an inspiring vision of the future.”

Jane Fonda’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary, and her activism continues to define her legacy. Even at 87, she remains a relentless force for change, proving that the fight for a better world has no expiration date.