DMI Statement on the Proposed Vel Phillips Statue

Vel Phillips extraordinary lifetime of contributions to this State improved all our lives. She is more than a role model for women, she is more than a role model for Black people. Vel Phillips is a role model for everyone. Downtown Madison, Inc. (DMI) strongly believes she deserves to be permanently, publicly recognized as such. We encourage our State leaders to posthumously honor her legacy of barrier-breaking “firsts” with one more: proudly and prominently place a statue of Vel Phillips on our Capitol grounds so that future leaders of Wisconsin – no matter their gender, race, or identity – may always be inspired by her.