Roslyn Joan Kelly was born on 25 January 1948. She was educated at St Ursula's College (Ashbury) and at Sydney University where she obtained a Diploma of Education. She was a school teacher from 1969 to 1972. She was elected to the position of Member of the House of Representatives for Canberra, Australian Capital Territory in 1980, and has held a number of portfolios in the Labor Ministry between 1987 and 1994. 

Mrs Kelly resigned as Minister for the Environment, Sport and Territories on 1 March 1994 and as the Minister assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women on 28 February 1994 and subsequently resigned as Member for Canberra on 30 January 1995.
 
Mrs Kelly was made on Officer of the Order of Australia on 26 January 2004 for service to the community through promoting corporate environmental responsibility and fostering dialogue between business and conservation groups, to the Australian Parliament, and to women’s health.