Wisconsin History Day By Day


Related Web Sites:
Shirley Abrahamson (Wikipedia)

Portraits of Justice

Shirley Abrahamson


Read More About It

"Portraits of Justice: The Wisconsin Supreme Court's First 150 Years" edited by Trina Gray

"The Counselors: Conversations with 18 Courageous Women Who Have Changed the World" by Elizabeth Vrato and Bill Clinton


Vocabulary:

sworn-in
justice
tenure


Interesting Fact:

Not only was Abrahamson the first woman Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, she was also the first woman to be named a partner in a private practice in Madison and the first woman to gain tenure at the UW Law School.


Study Questions:

  • What was Abrahamson's position before becoming a Supreme Court justice?
  • How many women Supreme Court justices have there been since 1976. Who are they?
  • Who was the first woman judge in Wisconsin?


    U.S. historical events that occurred on September 7:

    1963: The National Football Hall of Fame is dedicated.
    1977: The United States and Panama sign the Panama Canal treaties.



  • September 7

    September 7, 1976: Shirley Abrahamson was sworn-in as Wisconsin's first woman Supreme Court justice.


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