Jamie Lee Curtis was "honored" to receive an award from Jane Fonda. Curtis, 66, told Us Weekly exclusively at the Women in Film Honors on Wednesday, November 6, that it was "very special" for her to receive the Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award at the event, hosted at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. "Jane chose me. She represents something, I think, to all of us - bravery, boldness, courage under fire - demand of human beings to do better," Curtis explained. "She stands for that, and then she picks the person here that's going to exemplify those qualities in a different way." The actress added, "She's a wonk; I'm emotional. Yet, somehow, we're speaking the same language with which is the language of the heart, which is love." Her Biggest Win! Jamie Lee Curtis Earns 1st Oscar for 'EEAAO' Curtis also explained to Us why she's dedicated so much time to humanitarian efforts throughout her career. "I think what's most important is that people understand that what we do is a privilege. We have a position of power, we have wealth, we have access to help other people - the way we do so is we have to connect ourselves," she shared. "It can't just be unemotional care, it has to start from actual care." Unique Nicole/Getty Images for WIF She spoke specifically about her work with Children's Hospital Los Angeles, an establishment that Curtis has been "championing for a very long time." (Curtis has also worked with Project Angel Food and AIDS Walk.) Curtis also launched her own organization, My Hand in Yours, which sells "handmade items of comfort from artists and makers," donating all proceeds to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Jamie Lee Curtis Wants Entire Movie Crews to Wear Name Tags for Equality "Obviously, there are many others that I've been involved with over the years," she continued. "I hope young people see people like me, and people like the young actresses on Freakier Friday, who are the next generation to step up and say, 'This is what I care about, this is why I care about it, and I hope we can join up together.' That's really why we're here and happy to be here." Curtis spoke more about her experience with philanthropy in Hollywood while speaking during Wednesday's event. "I grew up as a young woman watching this group of women ... come together and put on a big effing show to benefit these children," she said. "I grew up right away seeing it wasn't about them ... really what I saw was, 'Oh, you come together with other women to help other people.' So then when I became an adult, I just mirrored that back to the organizations I've been a part of." Fonda told Variety about making her decision to give Curtis the honor. "What really hit me was when the [California wildfires in January] were raging and friends of mine had their houses burning - it was tragic - and then I heard that Jamie Lee gave a million dollars to fire relief, and it just made me cry," Fonda recalled. "It's such a magnificent gesture, and it so exemplified who she is."