26 Facts About Susan Ryan

Susan Maree Ryan was an Australian politician and public servant.

Susan Ryan was a member of the Australian Labor Party and held ministerial office in the Hawke government as Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, Minister for Education and Special Minister of State.

Susan Ryan was born on 10 October 1942 in Camperdown, New South Wales.

Susan Ryan was the daughter of Florence Ena and Arthur Francis Aloysius Ryan; her mother worked as a sales assistant and her father was a public servant.

Susan Ryan grew up in the suburb of Maroubra and attended the Brigidine Convent.

Susan Ryan enrolled at the Sydney Teachers' College in 1960, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1963.

Susan Ryan worked as a schoolteacher until the birth of her first child in 1964, later running a small business, the Living Parish Hymn Book Publishing Company, from her home in Cremorne.

Susan Ryan enrolled as a postgraduate at the Australian National University, studying English literature.

In 1970 they moved to New York for another of Butler's diplomatic postings; however, the marriage broke down and Susan Ryan returned to Australia the following year.

In 1973, Susan Ryan graduated from ANU with a Master of Arts degree.

Susan Ryan was a foundation member of the Belconnen branch of the Australian Labor Party and the Women's Electoral Lobby.

Susan Ryan unsuccessfully stood for ALP preselection in the Division of Fraser prior to the 1974 federal election.

In 1974, Susan Ryan was appointed to the non-governing ACT Advisory Council and elected to the non-governing ACT House of Assembly, serving briefly between 1975 and 1976 as the member for Fraser.

Susan Ryan was the ACT's first female senator and first Labor senator.

Susan Ryan was Minister for Education in the second Hawke Ministry and opposed the re-introduction of fees for tertiary education despite strong support in Cabinet for the user-pays principle.

Susan Ryan lost the education portfolio in the third Hawke Ministry and was instead given a much reduced role as Special Minister of State, with responsibility for the ill-fated Australia Card.

Susan Ryan had a strong focus on gender equality in politics.

Susan Ryan was a founding member of the Women's Electoral Lobby ACT branch.

In November 1998 Susan Ryan was appointed one of the first two pro-chancellors of the University of New South Wales, a position she held until 2011.

Susan Ryan was president of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees from 2000 to 2007.

Susan Ryan campaigned for an Australian bill of rights and was deputy chairman of the Australian Republican Movement from 2000 to 2003.

In 1999 Susan Ryan published a political autobiography, Catching the Waves: life in and out of politics.

In July 2011, Susan Ryan was appointed as Australia's inaugural Age Discrimination Commissioner with the Australian Human Rights Commission for a 5-year term.

Susan Ryan was the Disability Discrimination Commissioner, from 2014 to 2016.

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

Susan Ryan received honorary doctorates from the Australian National University, University of Canberra, Macquarie University and the University of South Australia.