WAAL Educational Foundation
In 1990, WAAL established a scholarship in the name of the late W. Dale
Phillips to provide scholarships to African-American law students from
either of Wisconsin’s two law schools--Marquette University Law
School and the University of Wisconsin Law School. In 2004, WAAL proudly
renamed the scholarship the VelanDale Scholarship Award to include, and
honor Vel Phillips' outstanding accomplishments. Vel Phillips passed
away in 2018 and Dale in 1988, but their community work, activism, public
service, and legacy will live on forever. WAAL is proud to continue the
Phillips' legacy by awarding law students with the VelanDale Scholarship,
the Hon. Maxine A. White Book Scholarship, and the Hon. Charles N. Clevert,
Jr. Scholarship.
501(c)(3) Status: In July 2002, the WAAL Educational Foundation was recognized as exempt
from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code. The organization is also classified as a public charity under section
509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore contributions to WAAL
Educational Foundation are deductible under section 170 of the Code, and
the organization is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises,
transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Internal Revenue code.
History of Vel and Dale Phillips
 |
W. Dale Phillips was born in Omaha, Nebraska on 1922. He received his Bachelor
of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1946. He
went on to obtain his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
in 1950. Dale Phillips, with his wife, Vel Phillips, became the first
husband and wife partnership admitted to the United States, Eastern District
of Wisconsin. In 1951, Dale and Vel Phillips opened up the law practice
of Phillips & Phillips in Milwaukee. Dale was an active member of
numerous organizations and associations, including the Black Lawyers Association,
State Bar of Wisconsin, Boys Club of America and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
and he also served as President of the Milwaukee Chapter and Wisconsin
State Chapter of the NAACP. Dale Phillips passed away in 1988.
|
|
|
Velvalea Rodgers "Vel" Phillips was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
on February 18, 1923. She graduated from North Division High School and
went on to Howard University to get her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1946.
Vel Phillips went on to become a woman of many firsts. In 1951, she graduated
from the University of Wisconsin Law School becoming the first African-American
woman to do so. With her husband, Dale Phillips, they became the first
husband and wife partnership admitted to the United States Eastern District
of Wisconsin. In 1956, she was the first woman and first African-American
elected to the Milwaukee Common Council. She was later appointed to Milwaukee
County Circuit Court becoming the first woman judge in Milwaukee County
and the first African-American judge in Wisconsin. In 1978, she became
the first woman elected to the office of the Secretary of State. A community
activist, public servant, and trailblazer, Vel Phillips' career and
legacy inspires generations of attorneys. Vel Phillips passed away in
April 2018 at 94 years old.
|
Tribute to Vel Phillips
Click here if you are unable to watch the above video.