While many of the politicians and public figures who have paid tribute to the late Susan Ryan have rightfully focused on her work for women's rights, including the 1984 Sex Discrimination Act, it is important not to lose sight of her many other accomplishments.
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The late Senator was, first and foremost, the quintessential Canberran. Like so many others before and since, she came to this city after spending her formative years elsewhere. And, again like so many others, she discovered in Canberra a community in which she could flourish and grow.
Her early years in the ACT as a student and a single mother of two young children would have been one of the most significant periods of her life. Ms Ryan's marriage to her diplomat husband had broken down while the family was in New York and she returned to the ACT in 1971 to study for a Master of Arts Degree at the ANU. While there she also tutored in English literature.
A foundation president of the Belconnen branch of the ALP and an early member of the Women's Electoral Lobby, Ms Ryan was appointed national executive officer of the Australian Council of State School Organisations in 1973.
A teacher who had studied at the University of Sydney in the early 1960s, education, along with public service, equal rights for women, and human rights in general, was always a passion.
Her first essay into representative politics came in 1974 when she was appointed to the non-governing ACT Advisory Council. Ms Ryan was elected to the non-governing ACT House of Assembly in 1975.
That was also the year in which, amid the bloodbath of the "Dismissal" poll she was elected as one of first two Senators ever to represent Canberra. While it was a dramatic and challenging time to embark on a career in national politics Ms Ryan was to prove a swift learner.
Her talents were rewarded when Bob Hawke led the ALP to victory at the "drovers dog" election in March 1983. Ms Ryan was made the Minister for Education and Youth affairs, and named the Minister assisting the Prime Minister for the status of Woman. This was the platform from which she launched an all out assault on state sanctioned discrimination against women in the workforce.
While her first effort in this direction, a 1981 private members bill, was unsuccessful, the vigour with which she fought for it left her colleagues in no doubt about her commitment.
Writing in The Guardian following the death of Bob Hawke last year, Ms Ryan said modern Australians had forgotten just how bad things were for women in the workforce at the time.
"It was not unlawful to sack women who married or became pregnant, or just because they were women," she recalled. "Maternity leave was scarcely available. Women could not get home loans. Girls' education was restricted and fewer girls got into higher education.... (and) much of the community thought all of this was okay."
That was demonstrated by the fact many of her own colleagues were wary of legislation they feared could alienate voters and the deeply personalised attacks that were made on her. Ryan's hard yards, which included being vilified at a "Stop the Ryan juggernaut" rally organised by Fred and Elaine Nile, paved the way for the eventual recognition of the LGBT community and same sex marriage.
Ms Ryan's many legacies are a heartening reminder that even when a society is beset by almost overwhelming challenges it can right wrongs, reverse injustices and commit to ensuring the future is better than the past.
Canberra was very lucky to have had her.
