22 Facts About Ruth Coleman

Ruth Coleman was a member of the Australian Labor Party and served as a Senator for Western Australia from 1974 to 1987.

Ruth Coleman's father was a railway ganger and the family moved frequently during her childhood.

Ruth Coleman began her schooling at a state school in East Victoria Park and later boarded at a convent school in Toodyay.

Ruth Coleman left school at the age of 13 and "was variously employed as a bus conductress, usherette, waitress, housemaid and cashier".

Ruth Coleman later trained as a telephonist and found work as a secretary, then moved into "publishing, advertising and copywriting, and eventually public relations".

Ruth Coleman moved to Melbourne in the 1950s with her first husband, where she began working in radio and television.

Ruth Coleman returned to Perth in 1964 following her divorce and worked for Swan Television as a publicity and promotions officer.

In 1970, Ruth Coleman became interested in consumer protection after buying a pantsuit falsely labelled as pure linen.

Ruth Coleman became the inaugural secretary of the Consumers' Action Movement in 1971 and was appointed to the Consumer Affairs Council of Western Australia and the Retail Trades and Control Advisory Committee.

Ruth Coleman was elected to the Senate at the 1974 federal election, with all seats vacant due to a double dissolution.

Ruth Coleman was re-elected at the 1975,1977 and 1983 elections.

Ruth Coleman served on numerous Senate committees, including as chair of the Industry and Trade committee during the Whitlam and Hawke governments.

Ruth Coleman was interested in Aboriginal affairs but was "most remembered for her passionate opposition to the threat of nuclear warfare and to uranium mining, and for her defence of civil liberties".

Ruth Coleman was again arrested and fined the following year following a protest in Perth.

Ruth Coleman sponsored the Nuclear News Roundup newsletter and was a co-founder of Women Against Uranium Mining.

In November 1984, Ruth Coleman suffered a severe stroke at her office in Midland, days before the 1984 federal election.

Ruth Coleman did not regain consciousness for several days and was reportedly close to death.

Ruth Coleman retired from the Senate at the 1987 election.

Ruth Coleman remarried in 1967 to Jim Coleman, with whom she had one son.

Ruth Coleman's husband served as the secretary of the Trades and Labour Council of Western Australia and was later appointed to the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission.

Ruth Coleman retired in 1987 and the couple settled in Yunderup.

Ruth Coleman returned to Perth following her husband's death and lived in Bassendean until her death from cancer on 27 March 2008.