Bust honoring former Chief Justice Abrahamson dedicated at State Capitol

Fifty years after becoming the first woman to serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, former Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson was honored Friday with the dedication of a marble bust during a ceremony in the Wisconsin State Capitol rotunda.

The dedication marks another historic first for former Chief Justice Abrahamson. She is the first woman to be honored with a bust in the Supreme Court.

"Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson was both an inspiration and an impact-maker, and I’m deeply honored to have participated in the dedication of this new memorial," said Chief Justice Jill J. Karofsky.

Chief Justice Karofsky led the ceremony, which brought together former Chief Justice Abrahamson's family, friends, colleagues, and members of the legal community. Among those who paid tribute were former Gov. Jim Doyle, former Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, and former American Bar Association President Michelle Behnke. Former Wisconsin Poet Laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton and Amanda White Eagle also participated, along with former Chief Justice Abrahamson's son, Daniel Abrahamson.

Appointed to the court by Gov. Patrick Lucey in 1976, former Chief Justice Abrahamson went on to become Wisconsin's first woman chief justice in 1996, serving in that role until 2015. When she retired in 2019, she had served 43 years on the Supreme Court, making her the longest-serving justice in Wisconsin history.

Throughout her career, former Chief Justice Abrahamson was a strong advocate for judicial independence, public access to the courts, and civic education. She worked to make the judicial branch more accessible and understandable to the people it serves, championing programs such as Justice on Wheels, which brings Supreme Court oral arguments to communities across Wisconsin, and Court with Class, which allows high school students to observe oral arguments and meet with a justice to learn about the judicial process.

Former Chief Justice Abrahamson also served in national leadership roles, including as president of the Conference of Chief Justices and chair of the board of directors of the National Center for State Courts. She was a leading voice on judicial independence, court administration, and the importance of public understanding of the courts.

Former Chief Justice Abrahamson died in December 2020 at age 87. Her contributions continue to be recognized through educational programs, the Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson Legacy Award for law students, and the Justice for All: The Legacy of Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson traveling exhibit, which highlights her life and career.

CONTACT:
Stephen Kelley
Public Information Officer
communications@wicourts.gov

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