Nevada Rural Housing Authority

During the Civil Rights Movement, Vel Phillips became one of the nation’s most influential advocates for fair housing.

In the 1960s, Milwaukee was one of the most segregated cities in the United States. As the first woman and first Black alderwoman elected to the Milwaukee Common Council, Phillips introduced legislation to prohibit housing discrimination. For years, her proposal was repeatedly rejected.

Despite those setbacks, Phillips continued to push for change. Her leadership helped spark the Milwaukee Open Housing marches, a series of demonstrations that brought national attention to housing discrimination.

After years of advocacy, Milwaukee passed an open housing ordinance in 1968, the same year Congress enacted the Fair Housing Act, a landmark law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, religion, and national origin.

Vel Phillips’ persistence helped move housing equality from a local fight to a national civil rights issue.

Her work remains a powerful reminder that fair access to housing is essential to building strong and equitable communities.