Vel phillips biography sample
Vel phillips - wisconsin women making history.
Vel phillips biography sample
Vel Phillips
American judge and politician
Velvalea Hortense Rodgers "Vel" Phillips (February 18, 1924 – April 17, 2018) was an American attorney, politician, jurist, and civil rights activist, who served as an alderperson and judge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and as secretary of state of Wisconsin (1979–1983).[1] She was the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School; the first African American, as well as the first woman, elected Alderwoman to the Milwaukee Common Council; and the first African American, as well as the first woman, to serve as a jurist in Wisconsin.
Early life and background
Vel Phillips was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 18, 1924, to Thelma and Russel Rodgers and had two siblings. Her father owned a restaurant for a few years and was a cook.
Her mother had three rules for her children, they could not smoke, drink, or talk loudly. As a high school student, she entered a speaking contest an