Governor Jim Doyle on Friday honored Vel Phillips, civil rights and women’s movement pioneer, by declaring Friday, April 7 "Vel Phillips Day" in the state of Wisconsin.

Friday marked the 50th anniversary of her election to the City of Milwaukee’s Common Council in 1956, making her the first woman and the first African American to hold that position.

"Vel Phillips has built a career full of ‘firsts’ as both a woman and an African American in Wisconsin," Governor Doyle said.

"She has, and continues to, work tirelessly to help establish equality and opportunity for people of color through social justice, education, and employment and equal housing opportunities.

"I commend her for her lifetime of achievements and her continuing devotion to improving the community and world in which she lives."

Vel Phillips graduated from North Division High School in Milwaukee and attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., before becoming the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School in 1951.

As an alderwoman in Milwaukee, she worked to pass the city’s first open-housing ordinance in 1968.

She was appointed the first woman judge in Milwaukee and the first African American judge in Wisconsin in 1971, was the first African American in the United States to be elected to the National Committee of a major political party, and the first African American elected to a statewide constitutional office as Wisconsin’s Secretary of State in 1978.

Today Vel Phillips continues to tirelessly fight for equality and justice through her establishment of the Vel Phillips Foundation, which will work to support equality and social justice.

The foundation’s focus will be on providing scholarships for qualified students of color and grants for organizations focused on social justice, educational initiatives, jobs, and equality in housing.

The Vel Phillips Foundation will celebrate its launch with a Reception and Gala Dinner tonight at 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee.

Antonio Riley, executive director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, will present Vel Phillips with a proclamation on behalf of Governor Doyle. For more information, contact the Vel Phillips Foundation at (414) 273-1321 or on the web at www.velphillipsfoundation.com.