Madison Reporter

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today that the State Capitol and Executive Residence Board (SCERB) has granted final approval for the installation of a sculpture commemorating the life and legacy of Vel R. Phillips. Commissioned by the late artist Radcliffe Bailey, the sculpture is slated for unveiling on the Wisconsin State Capitol grounds in June 2024. This will be the first statue of a Black leader or any person of color featured on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Capitol.

"Vel Phillips was a true treasure and Wisconsin icon who became the first of many before her, inspiring generations and defining the trajectory of our state. It is so important to me and to the countless Wisconsinites for whom she paved the way that she receives permanent recognition at the Wisconsin State Capitol,” said Gov. Evers.

A jurist, politician, and civil rights leader, Vel Phillips made history as the first Black American and woman elected to statewide office in Wisconsin, serving as the 29th Secretary of State. She was also the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School, the first Black person and woman elected to the Milwaukee Common Council, and the first Black judge in Wisconsin.

“The effort to establish this sculpture in her honor has been an effort years in the making, and I am thrilled to have finally reached this exciting milestone today,” said State Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison), chair of SCERB.

"This sculpture is more than a monument to my mother’s legacy; it is a beacon of hope and a call to action,” said Vel Phillips’ son, attorney Mike Phillips. “We are beyond thrilled and grateful to Gov. Evers, SCERB, and our many volunteers and supporters for getting us to this pivotal moment.”

The initiative to install the Vel Phillips statue, which began more than four years ago, aims to address the lack of representation of the Black community’s contributions to Wisconsin and beyond. 2024 marks Vel Phillips’ 100th birthday celebration, making the sculpture’s approval and installation a milestone in what the task force calls “The Year of Vel Phillips.”

Following bipartisan approval of the statue in November 2021, the Vel Phillips Legacy Initiative, started by Michael Johnson, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, with endorsement from Mike Phillips, Vel Phillips’ son, and backed by The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, will have raised over $500,000 to commission and donate the sculpture to the State of Wisconsin.

"The initiative to install the Vel Phillips statue, which began more than four years ago, aims to address the lack of representation of the Black community’s contributions to Wisconsin and beyond,” expressed Michael Johnson. “We should thank our community, especially the youth, for bringing the issue of lack of representation to our attention.”

The Vel Phillips sculpture will stand as a lasting tribute to a Wisconsin woman who broke countless barriers and devoted her life to making a difference in the lives of others. Its unveiling in June 2024 will provide all who pass by the opportunity to reflect on the enduring impact of Vel Phillips’ work and the continuing struggle for justice and equity for Black communities in Wisconsin and across the country.