Judicial Career

A woman complained about a newspaper’s decision to photograph Abrahamson at home rather than work. Abrahamson responded: “When I was growing up, women were warned that if we wanted a career we would have to give up a normal home life of marriage and children. This threat deterred many women from pursuing a career. I therefore have always thought it important that young women see ‘career-oriented women’ in a ‘home environment.’”

In 1976 Gov. Patrick Lucey appointed Shirley Abrahamson, at age 42, the first woman justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.