The Susan Ryan Memorial Fund

The Honourable Susan Ryan AO (1942-2020) was one of the Australian National University's (ANU) most distinguished alumna, a great friend of the ANU and a remarkable Australian.

Susan was in the first cohort of ACT Senators to the Federal Parliament, the first female Labor minister, the first woman to hold the women's affairs portfolio, and later held the office of Special Minister of State. Key laws enshrining opportunity and rights for women were legislated on under her leadership, including the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, providing Australian women equal rights in the workforce for the first time. It took exceptional political and personal courage for Susan to demand change and bring it about.

Susan also played a critical role as Minister for Education and Youth Affairs in the Hawke Government. Here she was a fierce advocate for free University education, arguing that education is a prime driver of social and economic progress.

A special endowed fund has been established to honour and celebrate Susan's incredible contribution to public life, and her role in leading and defining the national discourse with her progressive and far-sighted policy agenda.

Help support a new generation of outstanding leaders to honour and continue Susan Ryan's important legacy.

"Nothing is more important than ensuring, as far as laws can, that people are not discriminated against or unfairly denied the opportunities that most of us enjoy." - Susan Ryan AO