We honour the life of Susan Ryan. The former Age Discrimination Commissioner passed away on 27 September 2020.
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Join MemoriesMary Carr Susan Maree Ryan was born on 10 October 1942 to Florence Ena and Arthur Ryan in Camperdown, NSW.
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.
Mary Carr She gave birth to her first child and ran the Living Parish Hymn Book Publishing Company in 1964.
Mary Carr The family moved to Austria in 1966 when her husband was posted to the Australian Embassy in Vienna.
Mary Carr
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.
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.
Mary Carr Susan Ryan was the first female senator and the first Labor senator of the ACT in 1975.
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/
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.
Mary Carr Susan Ryan resigned from the Parliament in 1987.
Mary Carr Susan Ryan was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in June 1990.
Mary Carr She was appointed pro-chancellor of the University of New South Wales in 1998.
Mary Carr Susan Ryan published her autobiography, “Catching the Waves: Life in and out of Politics”.
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.
Mary Carr Susan Ryan was appointed as the first Age Discrimination Commission with the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Mary Carr She also served as the Disability Discrimination Commissioner from 2014 to 2016.
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
"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 Carr
Mary Carr