Margaret Reynolds (née Carter), born in Launceston on 19 July 1941, dedicated her career to public service, social justice and politics. She attended school in Launceston before moving to Queensland, where she earned a Diploma of Special Education from James Cook University in 1977 and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland in 1982. In 1963, she married historian Henry Reynolds.

Reynolds worked as a teacher in Townsville from 1960 to 1976 and served as Townsville City Councillor from 1979 to 1983. Since the early 1960s, Reynolds has been an advocate for Aboriginal rights, and she founded the Townsville chapter of Save Our Sons, a women-led group opposing conscription during the Vietnam War. By the 1970s, she was also active in the feminist movement and efforts to improve education.

In 1983, Reynolds entered federal politics as an ALP Senator for Queensland. She later served as Minister for Local Government (1987-1990) and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Status of Women (1988-1990). She was also Chair of the Australian Labor Party Status of Women Caucus Committee from 1995 and Australian Government's Representative on the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (1991-1996).

After retiring from parliament in 1999, Reynolds became an adjunct professor at the University of Queensland School of Political Science and International Studies. In recognition of her lifelong contributions to politics, gender equality, Indigenous rights and local government, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2023.