Vel Phillips Statue
Monument
W Main at S Carroll, Madison, WI 53703, USA
South Hamilton corner of the Wisconsin State Capitol grounds
2024
Creator / Author / Artist / Builder:
Radcliffe Bailey
Description
The Vel Phillips statue, unveiled on July 27, 2024, on the Wisconsin State Capitol grounds in Madison, honors a pioneering civil rights leader and public servant.
The statue portrays Vel Phillips seated, reflecting her approachable nature and dedication to community engagement. Crafted from clay and cast in silica bronze, it features a semi-matte black patina with a clear protective wax. It rests atop a solid stone plinth milled in Madison.
Inscription
An inscription includes her name, lifespan, major accomplishments, and her signature question: “What have you done, today, that’s good?
Monument Details
Who or what is being honored?
Velvalea “Vel” Phillips (1924–2018) was a trailblazer in Wisconsin’s political and civil rights history. Her notable achievements include:
First African American woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School (1951).
First woman and first African American elected to the Milwaukee Common Council (1956).
First African American woman to serve as a judge in Wisconsin.
First African American woman elected to a statewide office in Wisconsin, serving as Secretary of State (1979–1983).
Throughout her career, Phillips was a steadfast advocate for civil rights, open housing, and women’s equality.
What emotions or values does the monument try to express?
PLAYERS: DISCUSS IN THE COMMENTS
Who made or funded this monument? When and why?
Michael Johnson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, initiated the Vel Phillips Legacy Initiative in 2020, following the George Floyd protests, to address the lack of representation at the Capitol.
Whose perspective is represented?
PLAYERS: DISCUSS IN THE COMMENTS
Do you think this monument should remain here? Why or why not?
