Milwaukee is accepting nominations for the 2025 Vel R. Phillips Trailblazer Award

The City of Milwaukee is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Vel R. Phillips Trailblazer Award, which recognizes a female resident who embodies the spirit of one of Milwaukee’s most notable public servants. Nominations will be accepted through February 14, with the winner to be announced during the Girl’s Day @ City Hall program in March.

The award, as explained by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, celebrates individuals who demonstrate Phillips’ dedication to Milwaukee and its residents. Nominees must be female Milwaukee residents who are not elected officials, and they should demonstrate commitment to social justice and civic engagement.

Vel Phillips carved an unprecedented path in Wisconsin’s history through a series of groundbreaking achievements. After graduating from North Division High School and Howard University, she became the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1951. In 1956, she and her husband Dale made history as the first husband-wife legal team admitted to the federal bar in Milwaukee.

Her political career began when she was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council in 1956, becoming both the first woman and first African American to serve on the council. During her fifteen-year tenure, Phillips faced significant challenges, including resistance from fellow council members who were unaccustomed to working with a female colleague.

Phillips’ most notable contribution came through her persistent advocacy for fair housing. In 1962, she introduced the Phillips Housing Ordinance to outlaw housing discrimination. Despite facing repeated defeats, she continued reintroducing the legislation until it was finally passed in 1968.

Phillips continued breaking barriers throughout her career. In 1971, Governor Patrick Lucey appointed her as Wisconsin’s first African American judge. She achieved another milestone in 1978 when she became the first African American elected to statewide office as Wisconsin’s Secretary of State.

Her legacy continues to influence Milwaukee today. In 2024, she was honored with the first sculpture of a person of color at the Wisconsin State Capitol, and the city dedicated the Vel R. Phillips Plaza, a new public space along Wisconsin Avenue. The plaza represents a $17.8 million investment in creating vibrant community spaces in downtown Milwaukee.

Nominations for the Trailblazer Award should highlight how candidates have overcome challenges and demonstrated commitment to improving Milwaukee, following Phillips’ example of persistent advocacy for positive change. Interested parties may nominate themselves or others, and nomination forms are available through the city’s website.