ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
HISTORIC CIVIL RIGHTS RECOGNITION HAPPENING IN WISCONSIN
The first statue on the grounds of a State Capitol of an African American woman will be in Madison, Wisconsin. Velvalea “Vel” Hortense Rodgers Phillips, served in many roles during her life. Her various positions as lawyer, judge, politician, and Civil Rights activist make her one of the most prominent and accomplished figures of Milwaukee and Wisconsin’s African American community.
Vel Phillips was known for many firsts, including the following historic designations:
• First African American woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School • First female and first African American elected to the Milwaukee Common Council • First African American judge in the State of Wisconsin • First African American woman to be elected to a statewide office in Wisconsin and the entire nation. The achievements of Vel Phillip’s will be displayed for generations to come. The community will visit the Capitol and learn about her incredible life. The Vel Phillips Educational Fund was recently launched by the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County to support educational opportunities for youth in Wisconsin. To learn how you can support this project visit: h ttps://www.classy.org/campaign/vel-phillips-statue-fundraiser/c321457
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