Jane Fonda: Activism Saved Me

Apr 13, 2023

Jane Fonda, an American legend and activist, joins Abigail Disney for an inspiring conversation on the power of activism. They discuss Jane's journey from actress to activist, her work with Fire Drill Fridays and Jane Fonda Climate Pac, and the joy she finds in activism. They also explore the influence of Simone Señor-Ray on their activism against the Vietnam War and the interconnectedness of social issues with climate activism.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

The Journey from Service to Activism

02:59 • 3min

The Influence of Simone Señor-Ray

05:35 • 10min

Moral Injury and the Decline of Community

15:29 • 5min

The Interconnectedness of Social Issues and Climate Activism

20:16 • 18min

Philanthropy, Politics, and Hope for the Future

38:34 • 5min

Jane Fonda is a towering figure and an American legend. From Barbarella, to Klute, to 9 to 5, to her workout videos, she’s been gracing our screens for more than 50 years. And, though she may be best known for her role as an artist, surprisingly Jane says that’s not how she thinks of herself: “I consider myself, first and foremost, an activist.” And she has for quite some time.

For the final episode of Season four, Abby talks with Jane about the power of activism– work that Jane defines as building “people power in order to change systems that are wicked and evil.”

In recent years, to protest government inaction on climate change and the burning of fossil fuels, Jane launched Fire Drill Fridays. On select Fridays she can be found in Washington, DC leading thousands in civil disobedience. She’s also working to get “climate champions” elected to office via the Jane Fonda Climate Pac.

Jane reminds Abby that her activism started way back when she was a young actress who opposed the Vietnam War: “I was completely confused,” she admits, yet “it was hard to remain on the sidelines.” She describes the winding path she’s cut ever since.

As the conversation proceeds, Jane and Abby bond over how both find joy in activism. Jane describes the balm it has provided in her life. “One thousand percent activism saved me,” she declares. And, though there’s a lot to be angry, or to despair about, she ends with this rhetorical question: “Do you find–because I do–that when you take action, you get less depressed?”

You can follow Jane on Twitter @Janefonda, on Instagram @janefonda, and you can follow Jane’s climate activism on Twitter @janeclimatepac and @firedrillfridays, or you can go to janepac.com, or firedrillfridays.org.

EPISODE LINKS
The Village of Ben Suc (New Yorker)
Donald W. Duncan, 79, Ex-Green Beret and Early Critic of Vietnam War, Is Dead (NY Times)
Robert Kennedy Jr. (and Abigail Disney) Arrested While Protesting With Jane Fonda (The Hollywood Reporter)
On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal (Naomi Klein)
The evidence is clear: the time for action is now. We can halve emissions by 2030. (IPCC)
CO2 Emissions in 2022 (IEA)
Homeboy Industries (Homeboy Industries)