Vel Phillips’ legacy

Vel Phillips’ recent passing brings back a special memory of the controversial but grand lady (“A woman of many firsts,” April 19).

She was a cornerstone for Milwaukee and Wisconsin’s march away from racism. At 90, I am close to her age, her children are my children’s age, so I have not missed a minute of her public life.

I had never had the opportunity to see or meet her until 1993 when I was on jury duty in the Milwaukee Safety Building. I was standing in the hallway during a courtroom break when down the way came Phillips. She walked proudly straight up the center of the corridor. She made certain to turn her head and greet each and every one as she passed by, and heads turned like dominoes to watch her.

Everyone smiled and froze in place as they took time to watch and greet the legend as she seemed to float briskly along her way. She passed me and let her sparkling eyes fall upon me, singled me out and spoke a soft personal “hello.” She really did!

As I became one of the dominoes and followed her retreating figure, I was surprised by the reaction within me. I felt as if I had been in the presence of a president, a Joan of Arc. It was like I had seen the shadow of Dr. Luther King and all he stood and fought for.

As I look back on Phillips’ career, she has been all of that to her state and country, and perhaps more.

Jerry Zimmerman

West Allis