Jane Fonda to Receive Public Counsel’s William O. Douglas Award for Her Commitment to Social Justice Issues (EXCLUSIVE)

Jane Fonda will receive the William O. Douglas Award for her commitment to social causes at Public Counsel‘s annual gala dinner on Feb. 27 at the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles.

She is known for her work as an activist alongside her on-screen roles, most notably speaking out during the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam and Iraq wars.

“Jane Fonda’s lifelong dedication to justice and equality is extraordinary,” Public Counsel’s president and CEO Kathryn Eidmann said in a statement Tuesday morning. “Beyond her legendary career in film and television, she has used her platform with courage and conviction to champion civil rights, women’s rights, and social justice. Her fearless advocacy has inspired generations and created meaningful change for countless communities. We are honored to recognize her.”

Former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee will present Fonda with the award.

Earlier in the week, Fonda will receive the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award at the SAG Awards on Feb. 23. In recent years, she was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2021 by the Golden Globes, The Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award the following year from the Tribeca Film Festival and the Time Magazine Earth Award in 2024.

Throughout her decades-spanning career, Fonda has won two Oscars for her work in “Klute” and “Coming Home.”

In addition to Fonda’s recognition, Molly Munger and Stephen R. English will also be honored by Public Counsel with the Audrey Irmas Social Justice Award, while the law firm Morrison & Foerster LLP will receive the Law Firm Pro Bono Award.

Past recipients of the William O. Douglas Award include Viola Davis, John Legend, Mike Farrell, Gavin Newsom, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton and Elie Wiesel.