Hazel Hempel Abel

(1888-1966) born at Plattsmouth, lived in Lincoln. Educator, entrepreneur, politician, was president of Abel Construction Company from 1937 to 1952, became first woman U.S. Senator to succeed a woman U.S. Senator in 1954, when she was elected for the balance of a two-month term, replacing Eva Bowring; chosen American Mother of 1957. Consult Omaha World Herald Magazine, May 12, 1957, pp. G-22, G-47 and Sunday World Herald obituary, July 31, 1966, p. B-15 and New York Times obituary, August 1, 1966, p. 27 and Hope Chamberlin, A Minority of Members; Women in the U.S. Congress (Praeger, 1973) 244-247 and Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (1989) 508.

Back to Public Affairs
Back to Categories