By State Rep. Shelia Stubbs

Greetings from the Capitol! I am Wisconsin State Representative Shelia Stubbs, wishing all Wisconsinites a happy Black History Month.

On February 4, the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus celebrated the beginning of Black History Month with a kick-off event highlighting the importance and contributions of the Black community in our state. Students from One City Schools, led by their instructor, Karen Shields, welcomed us in with traditional African drumming. Additionally, Darrielle Fair, political reporter for WKOW 27, served as our Master of Ceremonies.

As part of the kick-off program, Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus members were encouraged to invite distinguished guests who exemplify Black Excellence and have contributed immeasurably to the fields of education, government, the clergy, community organizing, advocacy, Civil Rights, and so much more.

It was my great honor and privilege to honor six leaders and trailblazers in our State Capitol’s Rotunda today whose leadership, advocacy, and commitment to building a better world have not only positively shaped every life they’ve touched but continue to inspire others. As the first African American ever elected to the State Legislature from Dane County, I understand the importance of representation, knowing our history, and honoring those who have given so much to our community.

For this Black History Month kick-off, I chose to recognize Reverend Joseph Baring, Retired Senior Pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Wisconsin Council of Churches, Kaleem Caire, Founder and CEO of One City Schools, Elder Linda Hoskins, former President of the NAACP of Madison & Retired Former Special Education Assistant for MMSD, Greg Jones, President of the Dane County Branch of the NAACP, Mrs. Kirbie Mack, Vice President of Blacks for Political and Social Action of Dane County, Inc. and Bishop Dr. Godfrey Stubbs, Founder and Senior Pastor of End Time Ministries International & End Time School of Ministry, for the immense impact they have had in their respective fields and the legacy they have left not only in Dane County, but across the state and nationally.

I was also honored to join the rest of the Legislative Black Caucus in introducing LRB-6089, relating to: special observance days in schools (Vel Phillips), a resolution to recognize February 18, Vel Phillips’ birthday, as a special observance day in Wisconsin schools.

As the first Black woman to graduate from UW Law School, the first woman to serve on the Milwaukee Common Council, the first Black judge in the state of Wisconsin, and the first African American and first woman to be elected our Secretary of State, Mrs. Phillips was a true jewel for our state of Wisconsin.

It was my privilege to serve as the only State Legislator on the Vel Phillips Statue Task Force, where my responsibility was to request bipartisan support from Speaker Robin Vos, Former State Representative Amy Loudenbeck, who was the Chair of the State Capitol and Executive Residence Board until 2022, and current State Capitol and Executive Residence Board Chair Representative Lisa Subeck. This past July, Mrs. Vel Phillips became the first African American woman to have her statue displayed on any State Capitol across the United States.

We will continue to recognize and celebrate Mrs. Phillips’ legacy and that we continue to teach the next generation about all that she contributed to Wisconsin throughout her remarkable life and career. She shattered every barrier that came before her and she fought with determination for fair housing, equity, and dignity for all people.

Continuing the Black History Month festivities, on February 28^th I will be leading a delegation of Wisconsin State Legislators to the Milton House Museum. The Milton House, built in 1844 as a stagecoach inn and business and housing rental space by abolitionist Joseph Goodrich, has become a powerful symbol of bravery, resilience, and historical change.

Before its construction, Goodrich built a secret tunnel that spans about 45 ft. in length, which later served as a vital refuge for Freedom Seekers escaping slavery. Milton House's contribution to helping individuals seek refuge earned its designation as an official Underground Railroad station among the broad network of Underground Railroad sites.

As Wisconsin's only certified Underground Railroad site, the Milton House is not just a historical landmark; it also serves as an educational resource for Wisconsinites and Wisconsin visitors. It offers year-round, hour-long guided tours that provide guests with a deeper understanding of the founding of Milton, the structural purposes of the Milton House, American history in the years leading up to the Civil War, the importance of the Underground Railroad, and how the Milton House contributed to Underground Railroad operations.

Currently, the Milton House is working in collaboration with the Department of Public Instruction to develop a model curriculum for use in Wisconsin schools, some of which they will be presenting to us during our visit. I’m proud to support the Milton House’s efforts to incorporate the historical legacy of the Underground Railroad in Wisconsin public education.

Every year, Black History Month gives us a chance to reflect on and take pride in our heritage, as well as bestow that knowledge and pride on the next generation. I look forward to continuing that process of learning, growing, and celebrating not just for the rest of the month, but for the whole year. I invite my constituents to join in the festivities and use this opportunity to learn more about Black History, which is not only the history of my community, but the history of our state and our nation.