Chelsea Kakac

Dr. Jennifer King-Cooper

PSY 2180
31 March 2021

Jane Fonda
A woman of many talents, from acting, making pivotal changes in the fitness industry to

her work in activism across a wide variety of world issues, it is no doubt that she is not only an

admirable person, but a power and influential woman. Jane Fonda was born on December 21,

1937 in New York City. A daughter to renown actor Henry Fonda and her mother Frances

Seymour-Fonda, she had a less than normal childhood, her mother suffered from severe mental

health issues such as bipolar disorder. When Jane was just 12 years old, her mother tragically lost

her battle with mental illness while residing in a mental health institution. Henry, Jane’s father,

decided to withhold this information at first and told Jane and her Brother that their mother died

of a heart attack. A year later Jane found out through a movie magazine that her Mother’s death

was a suicide (Groth 2018). Due to her already tumultuous relationship with her mother due to

her mental health, after finding out that her death was suicide left her with a lot of guilt that she

suffered with for many years, and also struggled with an eating disorder as a result (Natale

2021).

Jane has a long list of accomplishments that make her extremely admirable, following in

her father’s footsteps she won numerous nominations and awards. Including an Oscar for Best

Actress for her role in the movie Klute (1971) and in for her role in Coming Home (1978). After

her success in front of the camera she soon made the shift to behind the camera for film and

television producing. A realm that at the time was predominantly run by men. In the 1980’s she
broke into the fitness industry releasing a series of work out tapes which to this day, still remains

the top grossing home video of all time (Natale 2021).

Jane’s work in activism is what really encouraged me to choose her as my gender hero.

She was a very loud presence in movement against the Vietnam war. To be not only a voice of

influence, but to be a powerful woman helping lead this movement is extremely admirable. She

has also done a lot of work for women’s rights. In 1995 she found the Georgia Campaign for

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, and other programs that helps reduce adolescent pregnancy in

Georgia by engaging in youth and family development (Fonda 2021). She also established the

Jane Fonda Center for Adolescent Reproductive Health which works on research, curriculum

developmental and training that expands on our knowledge of adolescent development and

female reproductive health. Along with also being named the Goodwill Ambassador for the

United Nations Population Fund. Her drive to overcome adversity and be a voice to women who

are under privileged is extremely admirable.

 Works Cited
“Biography.” Jane Fonda, www.janefonda.com/bio/.

Groth, Leah. “The Important Self-Truth Jane Fonda Learned From Her Mother's Suicide.”

Prevention, Prevention, 13 Mar. 2019, www.prevention.com/health/mental-

health/a23317858/jane-fonda-mother-suicide/.

Natale, Nicol. “How Jane Fonda's Workout Craze Contributed to Her Insanely High Net Worth.”

Prevention, 19 Feb. 2021, www.prevention.com/life/a30563137/jane-fonda-net-worth/.

Groth, Leah, and Kayla Blanton. “Jane Fonda Says ‘There Isn't Going to Be Any More Plastic
Surgery’ in Her Future.” Prevention, Prevention, 14 Feb. 2020,
www.prevention.com/beauty/a23337580/jane-fonda-plastic-surgery-regrets/.