Jane Fonda delivered a powerful speech as she accepted the SAG Life Achievement Award on Sunday night. The 87-year-old actor emphasized the importance of empathy and community in the face of challenging times. “Make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke,” Fonda declared.
"We never win, this is so weird!"
Well Selena, you and the @OnlyMurdersHulu crew are all winners tonight! #SAGAwards pic.twitter.com/r0ra5UT6Gi
— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) February 24, 2025
“And by the way, ‘woke’ just means you give a damn about other people.”
"I poured everything I had into playing this incomparable artist, Mr. Bob Dylan."
Congrats to @RealChalamet on his #SAGAwards win! pic.twitter.com/wXx0DOxmnU
— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) February 24, 2025
Fonda took the opportunity to call for resistance against the current political climate.
SAG-AFTRA NED & Chief Negotiator @DuncanCI welcomes the audience to the #SagAwards shouting out the brave individuals on the front lines of the LA fires, including our broadcast journalist #SagAftraMembers pic.twitter.com/nGc0sXQ0SJ
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) February 24, 2025
She urged her peers to stand up for their beliefs and support those who may be hurt by upcoming policies, regardless of their political persuasion. “A whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening, what is coming our way,” she said.
Another round of applause for @shogunfx and @zoesaldana for their #SAGAwards wins! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/q29adpAzZE
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) February 24, 2025
“We need to call upon our empathy and not judge, but listen from our hearts and welcome them into our tent, because we are going to need a big tent to resist, successfully, what’s coming at us.”
Fonda stressed the significance of unions in bringing people together and giving them power. “Community means power, and this is really important right now when workers’ power is being attacked and community is being weakened,” she stated. Throughout her six-decade career, Fonda has been nominated for four SAG Awards but had never won until now.
Fonda champions empathy and unity
She has received numerous accolades, including two Oscars, an Emmy, seven Golden Globes, and several lifetime achievement awards. Fonda’s activism and passion for social justice have been hallmarks of her public life.
She remains dedicated to raising awareness for causes such as climate change and has been vocal about her disagreements with certain political policies. As she accepted her award, Fonda reiterated her commitment to activism, encouraging her peers to use their platforms for social good. “This is big-time serious, folks, so let’s be brave,” she urged.
“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.”
