Augusta student’s history project featured by Smithsonian

Augusta student Madelyn Davis created an online showcase about Vel Phillips, the first African American woman to graduate from the UW–Madison law school.

 

An Augusta student’s project about a Wisconsin civil rights icon has been featured on the Smithsonian’s website, according to the Leader-Telegram.

Eleventh grader Madelyn Davis, a student at Wildlands Science Research School, researched and created a project about Vel Phillips, the first African American woman to graduate from the UW–Madison law school. Davis’ work is one of 51 nationwide featured in a Smithsonian online showcase.

Davis told the newspaper she was looking for a Wisconsinite who made a difference in civil rights through nonviolence.

“I was interested in Vel Phillips because she worked tirelessly to change the living conditions for Blacks living in the Inner Core in Milwaukee,” Davis said. “Vel Phillips used peaceful protests and her platform as a council member to change rights for Blacks in Milwaukee for future generations.”

Wildlands Science Research School is a charter school authorized by the Augusta Area School District.

 

Read more about her project at the Leader-Telegram.