MADISON, Wis. — For the first time, Wisconsin will soon honor a person of color on the state Capitol grounds with a statue set to be unveiled later this week.

You won’t see the monument of Vel Phillips until Saturday, but you’ll notice a large plywood crate outside of the South Wing until then. 

What You Need To Know

  • Wisconsin will make history by honoring a person of color with a first-of-its-kind statue on the grounds of the Capitol in memory of the late Vel Phillips

  • Phillips was the first to break several gender and race barriers, including becoming the first Black woman to win a statewide office in the nation

  • She passed away in 2018 at the age of 95
  • The statue of Phillips was erected on the Wisconsin Capitol grounds Tuesday and encased in a crate until an unveiling ceremony to be held Saturday

Vel Phillips broke barriers not only in the Badger State but the nation. From becoming the first woman and Black person to win a seat on the Milwaukee Common Council, to serving as Wisconsin’s first Black judge, and eventually, the first Black woman to win a statewide office in Wisconsin and the entire nation, Phillips undoubtedly left behind a legacy when she passed away in 2018 at age 95.

“Now, she’s going to be the first woman, Black woman, in the United States to have a singular statue at the state Capitol,” Michael Johnson, who helped lead the fundraising effort for the statue explained.

Dane County Boys and Girls Club President Michael Johnson, left, looks on as workers install a statue of Vel Phillips, Wisconsin's first Black secretary of state, outside the state Capitol in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Johnson has spent the last four years working to make the statue a reality by securing state approvals and raising money. (AP Photo/Todd Richmond)

“I want young girls, I want to see young boys, no matter what their race is, or culture, to see a woman sitting on the Capitol [grounds]. I think it’s going to be powerful for so many reasons,” Johnson, who serves as President of the Dane County Boys and Girls Club, added.

Johnson and campaign organizers raised $700,000 to cover the costs of the statue with no assistance from the state other than preparing the site. He credits the idea to young people in the community.

“All of this happened in July of 2020 when George Floyd was killed, and there was civil unrest happening downtown, and a bunch of young people had brought to my attention there was a lack of representation at the state Capitol, and I just couldn’t believe it.”

With a rare tribute about to become a reality, Johnson also couldn’t believe how much support there had been for the statue.

Workers finish installing a statue of Vel Phillips, Wisconsin's first Black secretary of state, outside the state Capitol in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. The statue is set to be unveiled during a ceremony on Saturday evening. (AP Photo/Todd Richmond)

“I waited for a fight, thinking there would be opposition throughout the state,” Johnson admitted. “The fight never came, and I’m proud of Wisconsin because between the event and the cost of the statue, they raised $700,000, and because of that now, this will be the first in the country.”

Nearly 1,000 people are expected to attend Saturday’s sculpture unveiling ceremony from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., which will be hosted by Gloria Ladson-Billings and retired Madison Police Chief Noble Wray with Gov. Tony Evers and Michael Phillips, son of Vel Phillips, scheduled to speak alongside other distinguished guests.

While the costs of the monument are covered, the free public ceremony hasn’t been fully funded yet. If you want to donate or learn more about the ticketed White Party Affair in honor of Vel Phillips held after the ceremony to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County, more information is available here.