wsh_topwishist_t-phillips t-phillips topwishist wsh yes Vel Phillips African American women judges--Wisconsin--Biography African American lawyers--Wisconsin--Biography African American civil rights workers--Wisconsin--Biography Legislators--Wisconsin--Biography Women social reformers--Wisconsin--Biography Phillips, Vel R., 1924- Encyclopedia article about Vel Phillips, lawyer and activist in the women's and civil rights movements. Phillips was active in the National Association for Colored People (NAACP) and attended Howard University before returning to Wisconsin for Law School. She served as alderman for fifteen years, was appointed to the Milwaukee County judiciary, and was elected secretary of state in Wisconsin, the first woman and first African American to do so. The Civil Rights Digital Library received support from a National Leadership Grant for Libraries awarded to the University of Georgia by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the aggregation and enhancement of partner metadata. [Madison, Wis.] : Wisconsin Historical Society Wisconsin Historical Society Texts (document genres) Articles http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/topics/phillips/ Forms part of the Topics in Wisconsin History collection (Wisconsin Historical Society) Wisconsin Please credit: Wisconsin Historical Society. 20090526 204905