Born in Sydney, Susan Ryan was educated at the Brigidine School, then obtained a degree from Sydney University. After moving to Canberra with her then husband, a public servant and diplomat, she studied for an MA in English Literature at the Australian National University.
During her political career, Ryan was Minister for Education and Youth Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Woman: she was the first woman appointed to cabinet in a Labor government.
Susan Ryan worked with Penguin Books Australia Ltd as Publishing Editor after her career in politics, but went on to work extensively in superannuation, and hold a number of positions with the University of New South Wales.
