Vel Phillips Campaign
Thank you to our fundraising event Silver sponsors
About the Campaign
There is history in the making! The first sculpture on the grounds of a State Capitol of an African American woman will be in Madison, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin State Capitol and Executive Residence Board voted on Monday, November 1st in favor of the historic designation for a statue honoring Vel Phillips.
Help us reach our goal to cover the cost of the sculpture, which will be gifted to the State of Wisconsin after it’s completion.
Velvalea “Vel” Hortense Rodgers 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 and First African American woman to be elected to a statewide office in Wisconsin and the entire nation.
Mike Phillips, son of Vel Phillips, stated, “My mom’s legacy lives on. But there is more work to be done. We must honor her legacy by investing in our kids. We must help kids find their own ‘firsts’. Together we can support our future leaders.”
We are asking for your support of Vel Phillips’ legacy by becoming a donor, a fundraiser, or an advocate.
How Can You Support?
DONATE TODAY
Donate to the initiative! You can donate through the button below or send a check to Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, 5215 Verona Road, Fitchburg WI, 53711 ATTN: Vel Phillips.
Share it out
Share the cause with your friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, and anyone else you know! Check out our collection of articles about Vel Phillips and this initiative below.
PBS WISCONSIN DOCUMENTARIES
Vel Phillips: Dream Big Dreams
WKOW
February 4th, 2021
WisEye Morning Minute
Wisconsin Black History Month Kickoff 2021
Vel Phillips sculpture Task Force
CHAIR – David Endres – Lead Council of Adjacency Holdings of American Family Insurance,
Dr. Amy Gilman – Executive Director, Chazen Art Museum, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Angela Arrington – Senior Attorney of Alliant Energy
Anthony Cooper – CEO of Focused Interruption
Jake Brown – Assistant Vice President of Operations Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County
Jessica Cavazos – President & CEO of Latino Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Kantara Souffrant – Curator Community Dialogue, Milwaukee Art Museum
Lucy Mathiak – American History, Ph.D
Marilu Knode – Executive Director Black Box Fund / Chair Art Team
Michael Johnson – President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County
Michael Phillips – Son of Vel Phillips
Milele Coggs – 6th District Alderperson of Milwaukee
Millie Coby – Community Engagement Faith-Based Organizer and Vel Phillips God Daughter
Dr. Patrick McBride – Emeritus Professor, Department of Medicine’s Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Department of Family Medicine at UW SPMH
Polly Morris – Executive Director Lynden Sculpture Garden / Milwaukee Arts Board, Public Art Subcommittee Chair / Administrator, Nohl Fellowship
Sande Robinson – Collector / Chair, African American Art Alliance, Milwaukee Art Museum
Shelia Stubbs – Wisconsin State Assembly Rep. (D-77)
Tom Barrett – U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg
Cory Ampe – Founder & Chief Marketing Officer – Campe + Co.