One of the most prominent women in Wisconsin history will be visiting UW-Oshkosh next week to talk about her “View from the Bench.”
Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson will be speaking on Monday at an event hosted by the American Democracy Project.
Political science professor and chairperson of the ADP, David Siemers said the organization’s main goal is to keep students informed and knowledgeable about decisions that can affect their lives.
“It’s [ADP] a nationwide organization that links together colleges and universities in their efforts to educate students civically to become aware and informed citizens so they can participate in the political process,” Siemers said.
By having one of the most influential leaders in Wisconsin politics on campus, Siemers said, it will add to the ongoing education in constitutional and Wisconsin government in Oshkosh.
Shirley Abrahamson became the first woman on the Wisconsin Supreme Court back in 1976 and has served four terms since then. She has been the Chief Justice since 1996.
She was also a faculty member at her alma mater, University of Wisconsin Law School and also served as a faculty member for Marquette University Law School before she being appointed to the court.
Siemers said students and faculty can expect Chief Justice Abrahamson to talk about her position in the Wisconsin court system and about being an important figure for women in Wisconsin politics.
“She will probably talk about her role as an interpreter of the law and especially constitutional law,” Siemers said. “Also about the relationship between the state and federal government.”
Carleen Vande Zande, an administrative member of the ADP, said Chief Justice Abrahamson lectures frequently to law schools and higher education groups about the interpretations and changes in law.
She also added that Chief Justice Abrahamson is very passionate about the role of humanities in the liberal education of lawyers and will probably talk about that as well.
“We are in the midst of our own liberal education reform here on campus, so I’m hoping she can talk about the importance of civic engagement,” Vande Zande said. “Hopefully she’s going to give examples of how, if we work together, we can solve problems. And she can give examples of programs that maybe she’s influenced between the court system and other social agencies to solve problems.”
Both Siemers and Vande Zande said students and faculty will greatly benefit from coming to her speech. All Wisconsin residents are affected by the decisions Chief Justice Abrahamson makes, because the law applies to everyone.
“She has been Chief Justice for quite awhile and she has written some very consequential decisions,” Siemers said. “She is leader in terms of the way you think about what state courts do and their position in the American system.”
Vande Zande also added that Abrahamson’s speech is a chance to learn about someone who is high up in politics and has a significant amount of influence.
Also, Chief Justice Abrahamson cares a lot about passing her dedication of understanding the constitution on to younger generations.
“It’s [the constitution] not just a document and maybe students learn about it just as a document but it affects our lives in so many ways,” Vande Zande said. “I think it’s admirable that she defends that every day and that we benefit in ways that we don’t even know.”
Vande Zande actually has helped the Chief Justice with her re-election efforts and she has learned so much from her, she wants others to also get that same opportunity.
“I hope students and faculty come to a better understanding of how the constitution works,” Vande Zande said. “I hope she can inspire others as she’s inspired me.”
Siemers would like to keep the tradition of preparing students with knowledge of how the world works when they leave the university.
“There is a wealth of opportunity beyond the classroom to education oneself about the world and this is one great example of that,” Siemers said.
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