AceShowbiz - Jane Fonda was honored with the Life Achievement Award at the annual SAG Awards in Los Angeles, and she took the opportunity to deliver an inspiring message. The 87-year-old actress and activist emphasized the critical roles of empathy and unity amid today's challenging political climate.

"I love acting. We get to open people's minds to new ideas, make them see beyond what they understand of the world and help them laugh when things are tough, like now," Fonda remarked, reflecting on her decades-spanning career.

"For a woman like me who grew up in the '40s and '50s when women weren't supposed to have opinions and get angry, acting gave me a chance to play angry women with opinions, which as you know is a bit of a stretch for me.”

Throughout her illustrious career, Fonda has earned numerous accolades, including two Oscars, an Emmy, and seven Golden Globes. Yet, her contributions extend beyond the screen.

As an activist in civil rights, gender equality, and climate change, Fonda has never shied away from standing up for what she believes in. Her speech emphasized the same principles of solidarity and resistance that have driven her activism.

Fonda reminded her peers to never lose their empathy. "Make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke and by the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people."

She also addressed the current political and social divisions. "A whole lot of people are going to be really hurt by what is happening," she said. "Even if they're of a different political persuasion, 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."

Referencing some of the most inspiring historical events, Fonda implored the audience to recognize the present moment as one of significant gravity and opportunity.

"Have any of you ever watched a documentary of one of the great social movements -apartheid or civil rights or 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."

Fonda concluded her speech with a call to action, "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."

Her words left a lasting impression, urging the Hollywood community and beyond to remain resilient, united, and compassionate in the face of adversity.