Wisconsin Capitol Dedicates Bust to Shirley Abrahamson
A marble bust honoring the longest-serving justice in Wisconsin history was unveiled in the State Capitol rotunda.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Awards
The Wisconsin State Capitol dedicated a marble bust honoring former Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson, who was the first woman honored with such a bust in the Supreme Court. The ceremony, led by Chief Justice Jill J. Karofsky, was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and members of the legal community.
Why it matters
Abrahamson served 43 years on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and became the state's first woman chief justice in 1996, making the honor a lasting recognition of her historic role in the state's judiciary. The dedication places her permanently among the institution's leaders in the Capitol.
The bust is made of marble and was installed in the Wisconsin State Capitol rotunda. Abrahamson served as chief justice until 2015 before retiring from the court in 2019.
The players
Shirley S. Abrahamson
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice and chief justice who served the longest tenure in the court's history and championed public access to the judiciary.
Jill J. Karofsky
Current Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court who led the dedication ceremony.
The details
The dedication ceremony took place in the Wisconsin State Capitol rotunda in Madison. Abrahamson, appointed to the court in 1976 by Gov. Patrick Lucey, championed the Justice on Wheels and Court with Class programs during her tenure.
Timeline
1976: Abrahamson appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
1996: Became Wisconsin's first woman chief justice.
2015: Served as chief justice until this year.
2019: Retired from the Supreme Court after 43 years.
December 2020: Died at age 87.
Legacy Recognition
The bust honors Abrahamson's 1996 appointment as Wisconsin's first woman chief justice, a milestone that marked a turning point for women leading the state's highest court. The permanent display places her alongside the court's other leaders in the Capitol.
The bust is installed in the State Capitol rotunda in Madison, where visitors can view it. The dedication gives residents a permanent public tribute to a justice whose work shaped the state's court system.
The takeaway
Public monuments like this bust preserve the stories of those who broke barriers in government, giving future visitors a tangible reminder of Wisconsin's judicial history.
Further reading
Explore more Awards coverage from across Wisconsin.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wisconsin Law Journal - WI Legal News & Resources.
