MADISON - The Wisconsin Historical Society will highlight the civil rights movement in Milwaukee during the 1950's and 1960's during a special event at its headquarters building, 816 State Street, Madison, Wis., beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Dr. Patrick D. Jones, author of the award-winning book, "Selma of the North: Civil Rights Insurgency in Milwaukee" (Harvard University Press, 2010), will introduce and moderate the program with remarks about the campaigns of Vel Phillips, Lloyd Barbee, Fr. James Groppi, and hundreds of other local activists to desegregate Milwaukee schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
Dr. Jones's introduction will be followed by excerpts from the new Wisconsin Public Television documentary about Vel Phillips life and work, Dream Big Dreams, as well as a discussion by the filmmakers about that project to celebrate Phillips' life. As the sole African-American (and woman) on the Milwaukee Common Council, Phillips led the efforts to ensure fair housing and compliance with the Civil Rights Act. The new documentary honors her life and career and sheds new light on race relations in Milwaukee.
The evening will also feature an update by Wisconsin Historical Society archivist Emil Hoelter on the acquisition of and processing of Phillips' personal papers, a project supported by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. He will describe how her archival records, recently acquired by the Society, document those turbulent decades. Dr. Jones will then moderate questions and answers about civil rights in Milwaukee from the audience.
The evening is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Public Television, and the University of Wisconsin Libraries. The program is free and open to the public.
