Shirley Abrahamson

Shirley Abrahamson The Chief Justice Shirley S. The committee promotes the causes that she championed through a variety of projects.

Abrahamson Legacy Committee encourages the public and scholars to explore Chief Justice Abrahamson’s life and her contributions to history. Abrahamson Legacy Committee's projects include:

-Dedicating the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Library Reading Room to Chief Justice Abrahamson.

-Funding an annual Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson award for Wisconsin law students committed to social justice, an independent judiciary, and equal rights for all.

-Presenting a traveling exhibit for students and the general public to learn about the most influential justice in Wisconsin history and to be inspired to work in public service.

-Maintaining a website to facilitate sustained study of Chief Justice Abrahamson’s life and work and to communicate with the public about the committee’s events and projects.

-Developing Chief Justice Abrahamson’s “Tootsie the Goldfish” lesson plan into an interactive learning tool to help students understand how courts decide cases.

Attention teachers: Looking for a fun way to teach fairness, Wisconsin history, and civic engagement? Bring history and ...
09/14/2026

Attention teachers: Looking for a fun way to teach fairness, Wisconsin history, and civic engagement? Bring history and justice to life in your classroom!

Invite author Colleen Ball to visit your classroom to talk about "Shirley for Justice" and to do engaging, hands-on activities with your students! Learn more about the opportunities here: https://www.colleendball.com/for-educators/

"'Shirley for Justice' is beautifully written, providing a window into how Justice Shirley Abrahamson embodied Wisconsin...
09/11/2026

"'Shirley for Justice' is beautifully written, providing a window into how Justice Shirley Abrahamson embodied Wisconsin’s 'Forward' spirit.'" - Brittany Larson, Director of Bridges Library System.

This Library Card Sign-Up Month, ask your local library to order a copy of "Shirley for Justice" for their collection!

"Following her journey, young readers learn that a love of reading can open doors, and that fairness, hard work, and com...
09/10/2026

"Following her journey, young readers learn that a love of reading can open doors, and that fairness, hard work, and compassion are the foundations of true leadership." - Derek Mosley, Director of the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education at Marquette University Law School.

Help spark a love of reading for the young readers in your life and get a copy of "Shirley for Justice" today: https://www.orangehatpublishing.com/product/shirley-for-justice/

As we continue to celebrate 50 years of women on Wisconsin's Supreme Court, we also remember Shirley Abrahamson's words ...
09/09/2026

As we continue to celebrate 50 years of women on Wisconsin's Supreme Court, we also remember Shirley Abrahamson's words from her retirement:

"From the day I took the oath of office I believed in the concept of an independent judiciary. I still believe in it. I hope you do as well.”

Check out the Education page on our website to explore some of the ways teachers, parents, and community members can work together to ensure the future of our judicial system: https://www.shirleyabrahamson.org/education/

"I love this story about a young girl from humble beginnings who dreamed of justice for all and grew into an internation...
09/09/2026

"I love this story about a young girl from humble beginnings who dreamed of justice for all and grew into an internationally respected judge, an inspirational leader, and a very dear friend. Shirley for Justice tells her story with warmth and beautiful illustrations that bring each page to life — and will inspire children to reach for the stars in their own lives."
— Justice Janine Geske (ret.) of the Wisconsin Supreme Court

"Shirley for Justice" is now available from Orange Hat Publishing. Help inspire the children in your life to reach for the stars!
https://www.orangehatpublishing.com/product/shirley-for-justice/

"This book remarkably captures the Shirley I knew." - Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley (ret.) of the Wisconsin Supreme Co...
09/08/2026

"This book remarkably captures the Shirley I knew." - Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley (ret.) of the Wisconsin Supreme Court

You can now order a copy of the brand new children's picture book biography of Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson by Colleen Ball, illustrated by Alison McDole. Help a new generation of children learn about justice, libraries, and the remarkable life of Shirley Abrahamson!

https://www.orangehatpublishing.com/product/shirley-for-justice/

"Books are for everyone. So is justice."As we continue our celebration of the 50th anniversary of Shirley Abrahamson bec...
09/08/2026

"Books are for everyone. So is justice."

As we continue our celebration of the 50th anniversary of Shirley Abrahamson becoming the first woman on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, we are excited to announce the release of a brand new children's picture book about Abrahamson called "Shirley for Justice: How One Girl's Fight for a Library Card Led All the Way to the Supreme Court" by Colleen Ball, illustrated by Alison McDole.

Order your copy starting tomorrow, wherever books are sold online!

"She didn’t just shatter the glass ceiling. She also looked for ways to lift others through the gap." - Professor Megan ...
09/07/2026

"She didn’t just shatter the glass ceiling. She also looked for ways to lift others through the gap." - Professor Megan McDermott (clerk to Chief Justice Abrahamson from 2000-01)

50 years ago, when Shirley Abrahamson started her career on the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, she was the only woman justice on the court, and women made up only 3% of the State Bar of Wisconsin. When she became Chief Justice in 1996, women lawyers made up 24% of the State Bar. By the time she retired in 2019, women made up 36% of the State Bar, and held 26% of Wisconsin circuit court judgeships, 44% of court of appeals judgeships, and 6 of the 7 seats on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

50 years ago today, Shirley Abrahamson was sworn in as the first woman justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. At the ti...
09/07/2026

50 years ago today, Shirley Abrahamson was sworn in as the first woman justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. At the time, women made up just 3% of the State Bar of Wisconsin. For the next 17 years, Justice Abrahamson was the only woman on the court, until she was joined by Justice Janine Geske in 1993. Today, 6 of the 7 justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court are women.

Watch Abrahamson's swearing in here: https://www.shirleyabrahamson.org/swearing-in/
(Video courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society and WKOW 27 )

Shirley Abrahamson was deeply committed to opening the doors of the courthouse and teaching people of all ages about our...
05/01/2026

Shirley Abrahamson was deeply committed to opening the doors of the courthouse and teaching people of all ages about our judicial system. One of the flagship programs she founded was called Court with Class.

Since 1996 the Wisconsin Supreme Court and State Bar of Wisconsin have invited high school teachers and students to participate in this award-winning program. Students receive a plain-language summary of a case to be argued to the court and they travel to Madison to watch the lawyers argue it live. Afterward, students meet with a justice to discuss the role of a justice and how cases are decided.

For information on how to apply to participate, click here: https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/resources/teacher/courtwclass.htm

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