Contact: Rep. Stubbs, (608) 266-3784
MADISON, WI- Yesterday, The State Capitol and Executive Residence Board (SCERB) formally approved the building of a statue honoring Vel Phillips on the State Capitol Grounds. This statue will be first state capitol monument to honor a Black woman in the entire nation. On this decision, Representative Stubbs (D-Madison) released the following statement:
“With this approval from SCERB, our state capitol will begin to represent the true diversity of our state, and we will honor one of the greatest heroes that called Wisconsin home. Vel Phillips was a trail blazer, a pioneer, a mentor and a true leader. Her legacy is an inspiration to Black women across our state, and this statue will extend her legacy for generations to come.”
“Vel Phillips was a woman of many “firsts” in our state. She was the first Black woman to graduate from UW Law School, the first Black woman to serve on the Milwaukee Common Council, the first female judge in Milwaukee, the first Black judge in all of Wisconsin, and the first Black woman elected to a statewide office in the entire nation. Vel Phillips’ legacy helped inspire me to represent my community in the Wisconsin State Capitol. Now it is only fitting that we see Vel Phillips’ legacy immortalized in this very same building.”
“I want to thank the Chairwoman of SCERB, Representative Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) for her support of this initiative, and Governor Tony Evers for ensuring that the people’s house displays the true diversity of Wisconsin. I also want to thank all of the Vel Phillips Statue Taskforce members and especially David Enders for serving as chair of this pivotal group. Another special thank you to Michael Phillips for sharing the memory of your mother with us, and to Michael Johnson of the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County for ensuring this projects’ success.”
“With all of your support, and the support of the people of Wisconsin, we were able to make history. This statue will be a shining light on Wisconsin’s diversity and history of success. It will show that Wisconsin is a place for all people to succeed, grow, and thrive.”
