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    Celebrating the life of

    Susan Ryan

    10 Oct 1942 - 27 Sep 2020

    We honour the life of Susan Ryan. The former Age Discrimination Commissioner passed away on 27 September 2020.

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    10 Oct 1942Camperdown, NSW, Australia

    Mary Carr Susan Maree Ryan was born on 10 October 1942 to Florence Ena and Arthur Ryan in Camperdown, NSW.

    1963Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Mary Carr She attended the Sydney Teachers’ College and graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in 1963. She also married her husband, Richard Butler in the same year.

    1964Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Mary Carr She gave birth to her first child and ran the Living Parish Hymn Book Publishing Company in 1964.

    1966Austria

    Mary Carr The family moved to Austria in 1966 when her husband was posted to the Australian Embassy in Vienna.

    1969

    Mary Carr

    1969Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Mary Carr Susan Ryan and her family moved back to Australia in 1969. She resumed her postgraduate studies at the Australian National University (ANU) while working as a part-time tutor at the Canberra College of Advanced Education.

    1973Belconnen, ACT, Australia

    Mary Carr She graduated with a Master of Arts degree from ANU and was appointed National Executive Officer of the Australian Council of State School Organisations. Susan Ryan was a founding member of the Belconnen branch of the Australian Labor Party and the Women’s Electoral Lobby.

    1975ACT, Australia

    Mary Carr Susan Ryan was the first female senator and the first Labor senator of the ACT in 1975.

    1983ACT, Australia

    Mary Carr She was appointed Minister for Education and Youth Affairs and Minister assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women in 1983. photo credit: https://www.vwt.org.au/gender-equality-timeline-australia/

    1987Australia

    Mary Carr She was the Special Minister of State during the Hawke ministry from 1987 to 1998. Susan Ryan is a firm advocate for gender equality. Her contributions aided in the development of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, Public Service Reform Act 1984, Affirmative Action (Equal Employment Opportunity for Women) Act 1986, and the Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987.

    1987Australia

    Mary Carr Susan Ryan resigned from the Parliament in 1987.

    1990Australia

    Mary Carr Susan Ryan was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in June 1990.

    1998NSW, Australia

    Mary Carr She was appointed pro-chancellor of the University of New South Wales in 1998.

    1999Australia

    Mary Carr Susan Ryan published her autobiography, “Catching the Waves: Life in and out of Politics”.

    2000Australia

    Mary Carr Susan Ryan was president of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees from 2000 to 2007. She campaigned for an Australian Bill of Rights. She was also deputy chairman of the Australian Republican Movement from 2000 to 2003.

    2011Australia

    Mary Carr Susan Ryan was appointed as the first Age Discrimination Commission with the Australian Human Rights Commission.

    2014Australia

    Mary Carr She also served as the Disability Discrimination Commissioner from 2014 to 2016.

    Sep 2020Australia

    Mary Carr Susan Ryan died on 27 September 2020 at Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital after falling ill. She is survived by her two children.

    "Champion of equality, courageous feminist and steadfast trailblazer. All Labor women are part of your legacy and we are determined to advance it." - Senate leader, Penny Wong

    Mary Carr27 Sep 2020

    "Not only did she pave the way, she built the road that many of us have followed. She really campaigned on the fact that a woman's place was at the table — not just in the Senate, but all the places where decisions were being made. And she stuck around, being an incredible support to so many of us who have followed in her footsteps." - ACT Labor se...

    Mary Carr27 Sep 2020
    27 Sep 2020

    Mary Carr

    27 Sep 2020

    Mary Carr