LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Madeline Abramson has always been passionate about public service. The former first lady of Louisville shares her love for the city which shines through with her good deeds.
“My husband – it will be 35 years this coming June is former mayor and Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson.”
Madeline still laughs when you ask who entered the political ring first.
“Well, actually, Jerry and I joke because I said I was in public service early before he was because I was the night school student senator at the University of Louisville and was involved in student government. Jerry had already been elected mayor when we got married in 1989,” Madeline explained. “I think I chose him rather than choosing public service, but that was a package deal.”
Madeline is a Louisville native and attended Holy Rosary Academy. She then went to Jefferson Community College (now JCTC) for real estate, and the University of Louisville where Madeline would earn a degree as a paralegal.
She took a break to raise her son Sidney and continued her education at Bellarmine with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies.
“It's very difficult to believe, because it seems like just yesterday that we were walking him across the street to Field Elementary, but he's a Bellarmine University graduate and married his high school sweetheart from Male [High School] Candice and they have given us two adorable grandchildren,” Madeline said.
As first lady, Madeline kept the secrets while Jerry worked through the issues.
“It wasn't hard to keep confidential, but it was very worrisome, but because I knew some of the challenges he was facing and that our community was facing,” She explained.
When asked if she ever thought about joining the political arena, Madeline said she likes “to work more behind the scenes. And so volunteer work has been a really a joy for me, in a way to help the community.”
Madeline still keeps a busy schedule working with Maryhurst, the Red Cross, and Kentucky Performing Arts.
Her greatest joy is family.
“Well, its grandbabies that is the number one hobby, but I love to read,” she said with a smile.
The Abramsons frequent the public library and exercise is very important to her.
“I'm a 10-year breast cancer survivor. I'm doing great. I'm very, very fortunate to be able to get high quality treatment right here in my hometown,” she said.
Madeline lives by a bit of wisdom from her father and recalled a quote he loved to recite from writer and political activist Eldridge Cleaver.
“If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.”
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