This week, we have two additional trailblazers whom we are honored to celebrate, the late Vel Phillips and Jeannetta Simpson-Robinson. Velvalea Hortense Rodgers “Vel” Phillips February 18, 1923 – April 17, 2018 Vel dedicated her life to building and empowering the African American Community. Her drive, devotion and never-ending commitment to equality were unsurpassed. Active… [Read More]
Vel Phillips Archives
Remembering Those We Have Lost in 2018
January 10, 2019
Nathan Conyers, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Winnie Mandela, Dennis Edwards, Vel Phillips, Ron Dellums, Betty Nabors, Ruthie Sherrod-Davis, Brian Jerome Evans, Sterling Price Hayman III, Farice Marie Clayton, Rev. Dr. Amanda Gray, Robert E. Williams, Nellie Durrell, Kirthan A. Henderson, Nathaniel Brown, John C. Wilturner, Michael A. Word Sr, Darrick A. Sellers, Ricky Adams, Yvonne… [Read More]
Rep. Moore’s bill honoring Vel R. Phillips’s legacy is signed into law
December 13, 2018
Last week, Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s (WI-04) bill to designate the US Post Office located at 2650 North Doctor Martin Luther King Drive in Milwaukee as the “Vel R. Phillips Post Office Building” was signed into law. Vel Phillips inspired profound activism in the City of Milwaukee. Her movement influenced the congressional fair housing debates and… [Read More]
House passes Rep. Moore’s bill to designate Vel R. Phillips post office building
September 27, 2018
On Thursday, September 13, 2018, Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s (WI-04) bill to designate the facility of the US Post Office located at 2650 North Doctor Martin Luther King Drive in Milwaukee as the “Vel R. Phillips Post Office Building” passed the US House of Representatives. Congresswomen Moore delivered the following remarks on the House floor in… [Read More]
City honors late civil rights advocate Vel R. Phillips with street naming
August 16, 2018
On Tuesday, August 7, 2018, the City of Milwaukee along with the Bader Foundation and Alderwoman Milele Coggs held a special street renaming ceremony at North 4th Street and West North Avenue to honor the late civil rights advocate Vel Phillips. The intersection will now be known as North Vel R. Phillips Ave. The renaming… [Read More]
Funeral services held for civil right activist and judge Vel R. Phillips
May 10, 2018
Hundreds gathered at Milwaukee’s oldest African American church, St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church, on Saturday, May 5, 2018, to celebrate the life of Vel Phillips, the pioneering civil rights leader who smashed racial and gender barriers as a lawyer, city council woman and Wisconsin secretary of state. “These pinnacles were not what made Vel’s… [Read More]
Milwaukee civil rights leader Vel Phillips passes away at 94
April 19, 2018
Lifelong trailblazer and civil rights advocate Vel R. Phillips died Tuesday, April 17, 2018, leaving a legacy of fighting for equality that has inspired generations. Phillips, 94, was praised by city leaders as an unwavering voice for justice who deeply changed Milwaukee. “She was a lonely warrior for a long time,” Mayor Tom Barrett said…. [Read More]
