Shirley Abrahamson

Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Historical Society honor Abrahamson by renaming the library reading room as the “Wisconsin Historical Society Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson Reading Room.”

As the longest-serving Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, Shirley Abrahamson breaks Justice Orsamus Cole’s record of 36 years and 7 months.

Abrahamson wins a fourth 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating her challenger, Circuit Court Judge Randy Koschnick, in a landslide with 59% of the vote.

Abrahamson wins a third 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating challenger Sharren Rose by a landslide, carrying all 72 counties with 63.5% of the vote.

Abrahamson becomes the first woman chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  At the time, there are only six other female chief justices of state courts of last resort in the United States

Abrahamson is reelected to a second 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She soundly defeats her challenger, court of appeals judge Ralph Adam Fine, by winning 55% of the vote

Abrahamson becomes the first woman in Wisconsin’s 131-year history to be elected to a full 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She defeats challenger Howard Boyle by a landslide, carrying 66% of the vote.

Gov. Patrick Lucey appoints Abrahamson the first woman justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She is the only woman judge in Wisconsin at that time.  At her investiture, her law partner wonders if by 2076 a majority or even all the justices could be women.