A Night of Laughter and Inspiration with Jane Fonda and Mary Steenburgen at Crystal Bridges

The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art was buzzing with excitement on Tuesday, November 13, 2024, for "An Evening with Jane Fonda and Mary Steenburgen." This captivating lecture, moderated by Olivia Walton, Chair of Crystal Bridges, and live-streamed on Arkansas PBS, was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Andrea Albright and MailCo USA. It was a testament to the museum's commitment to nurturing health and well-being through the unique blend of art, architecture, and nature. The evening was filled with laughter, poignant stories, and inspiring calls to action, leaving much of the audience feeling energized and hopeful.

The event kicked off with Marissa Reyes, Crystal Bridges' Chief Learning and Engagement Officer, extending a warm welcome and acknowledging the museum's presence on indigenous land. Reyes emphasized the museum's commitment to honoring and representing indigenous cultures, setting a respectful tone for the evening.

Olivia Walton then took the stage, introducing Fonda and Steenburgen with genuine admiration. She praised their remarkable careers and tireless activism, setting the stage for an intimate conversation about their passions and perspectives.

Jane Fonda: From Hedonist to Activist, and the Power of Women

Fonda, with her characteristic candor, spoke about her evolution from self-proclaimed "hedonist" to passionate activist. She emphasized the importance of taking action, particularly on climate change, and how finding her voice as an activist brought purpose and hope into her life. "Hope is a muscle like the heart," Fonda declared. "You have to use it to feel it."

When asked about her activism, Fonda detailed her beginnings, saying:

Everybody says ‘oh you were an activist all your life. No I wasn't. I was a hedonist. I was! That's the only IST I was. I didn't pay any attention. I was not happy. I was like in a boat going down a river like this one and only  – this hasn't got much of a current – but I just, I didn't have I didn't have an oar. I just went wherever the current took me. Once I planted my flag and I said I'm going to be an activist, I put my oar in the water and I started steering my boat, and that gave me hope. And I'm surrounded by people who were like that.

The conversation took an interesting turn when Fonda delved into the topic of feminism and female friendships. She shared fascinating insights from a Harvard health study, revealing that lacking close female friendships can be more detrimental to a woman's health than smoking! "Women's friendship is very different than men's friendships," Fonda explained. "Women face each other, eyes to eyes, and aren't afraid to say, 'I'm scared, I don't know what to do, can you help?'" This resonated deeply with the audience, sparking nods of agreement and murmurs of recognition.

Fonda's activism extends far beyond environmental concerns. For decades, she has been a vocal advocate for women's rights, indigenous rights, and social justice. She is particularly passionate about empowering women and girls, and her Fire Drill Fridays protests in Washington D.C. brought attention to the urgent need for climate action. She supports organizations like Greenpeace and the Women's Media Center, and her commitment to creating a more just and equitable world is unwavering.

Mary Steenburgen: Arkansas Roots and the Magic of Hope

Steenburgen, a native Arkansan and prolific actress and songwriter, charmed the audience with her warm personality and vivid memories of her childhood in Newport. She painted a picture of her father, a freight train conductor, and the early mornings she spent driving him to work with her mother in their old Chevy. "My dad would climb up on top of a boxcar and wave to us as the train pulled away," Steenburgen reminisced, her voice filled with nostalgia. "It was magical."

She also shared a funny story about her first memory: being captivated by a little red chair with a rush bottom in Sam Walton's first store. Her aunt and uncle, recognizing her fascination, bought the chair for her. The audience erupted in laughter when Steenburgen quipped, "I like to think it was Sam Walton himself who got the chair down for me, but I doubt it!"

Steenburgen's love for Arkansas was palpable as she spoke about the beauty of the state and the warmth of its people. "I feel hopeful when I come to a place like this," she confessed, gesturing to the stunning Crystal Bridges Museum. She reflects fondly of her youth in Arkansas, saying she thinks about the sounds of the trains, fried okra, chicken and dumplings, and the sounds at night in the summer, saying, “There’s just so many things I love about this beautiful place.”

When it comes to advocacy, Steenburgen feels passionately about many topics. She recently spoke at an Ohio School Board Association meeting about why arts in education is important – a matter she cares very deeply about – believing that creative exposure, such as that available at Crystal Bridges, is a powerful experience for children.  In addition, she and her husband, actor Ted Danson, are deeply involved in ocean preservation and sustainability initiatives, having worked for decades with the international non-profit Oceana. Her philanthropic work reflects her deep compassion and commitment to making a positive impact on the environment, and the lives of others.

Questions, Answers, and Shared Laughter

The evening flowed seamlessly into a Q&A session, with the audience eager to engage with Fonda and Steenburgen. An attendee asked what advice they would give to those who seek to balance personal growth with social responsibility in today’s complex world, to which Steenburgen says:

You have to remind yourself that you’re still growing. I think it's an amazing thing to scare yourself just a little now and then…for me right now, it's trying to actually look like I can play pickleball! I tried to learn French the past few years on Duolingo, it’s not going amazing, but I learned a lot,” She continued, "Whatever it is, that very thing that you give to children – encouragement about growth and change and constantly feeling like you're moving forward – no one's going to really tell us to do that except ourselves. That is something I’ve come to feel is terribly important. It feels good to know that your growing days are not over, and they shouldn’t be until you’re not here anymore"

Another audience member asked what gives them hope.

Steenburgen, reflecting on the question, shared her deep love and appreciation for her family and her connection to younger generations. "I write music almost completely with people who are less than half my age," she revealed. "I feel hopeful about young people.I wake up hopeful every single day." 

Fonda replied, "Hope is a muscle like the heart. You have to use it to feel it. It's different than optimism. Optimism is everything's going to be fine! But you don't do anything to make it so. Hope is when you take action. And the minute you take action you become hopeful. Especially if you're not alone. These days we have to take action in group together. We have to circle the wagons. And that's where hope comes from, not being alone I think, and being in action and not just, well, I'll see how everything's going to turn out.”

A Standing Ovation and a Shared Sense of Hope

As the evening drew to a close, the audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation, a testament to the profound impact of Fonda and Steenburgen's words. The two women, with their humor, honesty, and unwavering commitment to making a difference, left an indelible mark on attendees.

The event was a powerful reminder that we all have the power to create positive change in the world. Fonda and Steenburgen, with their inspiring stories and infectious hope, embodied the spirit of activism and the importance of community. Their message was clear: we are not alone, and together, we can build a better future.

You can view the full recording of the event on Youtube, here. 

Adrienne Lumb is a tech consultant and hobbyist writer based in Fayetteville, AR. She enjoys discovering all the little nooks and crannies of NWA. If she is not on a chilly morning swim or out stomping around the Buffalo River, you might find her cruising the aisles of Asian Amigo or Dickson Street Bookshop.

You can find more of her work on LinkedIn or Instagram.