Pioneering Labor senator and women's rights champion Susan Ryan has been recognised as someone who transformed "altruism and ambition into action" at her state funeral in Sydney.
The former Hawke government minister fell ill after going for a swim at Coogee in September and died at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital, aged 77.
Ms Ryan was responsible for landmark sex discrimination and affirmative action laws in Australia and was Labor's first female cabinet minister.
In delivering her eulogy at St Mary's Cathederal on Friday, former governor-general Quentin Bryce quoted late Australian author Shirley Hazzard's The Transit of Venus, saying reform was "to be isolated, ignored, insulted and possibly run over by a government truck.
"Susan translated altruism and ambition into action to make the world a better place through a reformist agenda - policy, legislation, persuasion," Ms Bryce said.
"How heartening to see the accolades, the glowing tributes to lift our hearts through our tears."
When Bob Hawke took power in 1983, Ms Ryan was installed as education minister and minister assisting the PM for the status of women. She was an integral part of the creation of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and Affirmative Action Act 1986.
Ms Ryan later worked in several academic and industry roles and was briefly chair of Australia's republican movement after the failed 1999 referendum.
She was then called upon to advise the Rudd and Gillard governments, later becoming Australia's first age discrimination commissioner and disability discrimination commissioner.
Prior to her political career, Ms Ryan's formative years were spent at Brigidine Convent in Maroubra, imbibing a school culture focused on social justice. That ethos followed her throughout her life and career, Ms Bryce said.
Her mourners, with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack representing the government, also heard of Ms Ryan's love for Ireland, swimming, her partner Rory, her children Justine and Benedict and her grandson Amir.
Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese told reporters on Friday Ms Ryan forged a path upon which current female federal Labor MPs could tread.
"Before Susan Ryan and her legislation, it was possible to be sacked for falling pregnant. You needed to take a fellow in with you to get a loan from the bank to buy a house. Susan Ryan's legacy is enormous," Mr Albanese, who also attended the funeral, said.
"She's a giant of our movement, a giant of the women's movement as well."
