#marchonmilwaukee

[uwmarchives]

Sorry for not being able to post last Thursday. We were closed due to the weather. Today we have a letter from Ardie Clark Halyard to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Civic Alliance. She was given an award for recognizing her accomplishments and efforts in improving conditions for black people in Milwaukee. A little bit about Ardie: her and her husband co-founded the first black owned saving and loan in Milwaukee in 1925. This bank allowed for black people to apply for loans without discrimination. Prior to this it was basically impossible for these folks to obtain a loan. As she mentioned in the last page of this letter, the bank had programs that would allow for them to put 5 dollars down. She also worked for Goodwill Industries as a director for 20 years while working as bookkeeper for the bank. In 1951, she went on to become the first women president of the NAACP of the Milwaukee chapter. Still fighting for housing and increasing membership to the chapter. Check out our collections using the link in our bio or email [email protected] for more questions! Call number: Milw SC 111 ____ #uwmarchives #uwmspeccoll #naacpawards #milwaukeehistory #fairhousing #marchonmilwaukee https://www.instagram.com/p/CpA7OtuuM5u/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[uwmarchives]

This B&W photo from the 1960s pictures Vel Phillips sitting the shoulders of NAACP Youth Council Members with Father Groppi pictured to the left. Vel Phillips was she was a Wisconsin civil rights pioneer, lawyer, Milwaukee alder, Juvenile Court justice, and Secretary of State. She was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council and in 1962, she proposed an ordinance to end housing discrimination. She would be the only alderman to vote for it every year until 1967. In 1967, she joined with Father James Groppi and the NAACP Youth Council in a series of protests to draw attention to housing discrimination. She joined them on the second day of open housing marches and was arrested a few days later for violating Mayor Maier’s 30-day ban on demonstrations. Finally in 1968, after the Federal Civil Rights Act passed, the council voted for open housing. Her efforts did not end there as she would work for a Milwaukee County Children’s Court and be the first African American and women to serve in a statewide office as the Secretary of State. To learn more about Vel Phillips and her impact in Milwaukee search our collections using “Vel Phillips” or “March on Milwaukee.” Call Number: PH Milw Mss 231 —— Post by: Intern V #uwmarchives #uwmspeccoll #velphillips #marchonmilwaukee #naacpyc #milwaukeehistory #milwaukeecivilrightshistory #milwaukeeleaders https://www.instagram.com/p/Coc39qVu9IA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=