>> This is Vel Phillips,
a remarkable woman and dedicated,
experienced public servant for 30 years.
♪ ♪
>> In 1978, Phillips decided to run for Wisconsin
Secretary of State.
>> I think campaigning is hard.
Really hard.
>> On September 12th, she beat eight other primary candidates,
winning by almost double the votes of
the nearest contender and gaining the Democratic
nomination.
>> I think it's endurance and able to stay positive.
>> In the general election, in an increasingly conservative
political environment, Phillips was forced to
outspend her opponents.
>> My husband said, "Your daddy is here to help you.
What do you want your daddy to do?"
I said, "Money."
I would appreciate your vote on Tuesday, November 7th.
>> Vote Vel Phillips for Secretary of State.
[bell rings]
>> On November 7th, 1978, Vel Phillips was elected
Wisconsin's Secretary of State, becoming the first
African American to be elected to statewide office in Wisconsin
and the first African American woman to be elected to any
statewide executive office in American history.
>> She was in succession to fill in as governor.
When she talks, it's just hilarious, she giggles,
about the time when the governor and the lieutenant governor
left the state, and she realized "I'm acting governor."
Somebody tipped off the media to do a story on it.
And as she says, "The men came rushing back."
The governor and lieutenant governor said,
"We can't let that happen."
>> When Ebony magazine asked her about a possible run
for governor Phillips responded, "No politician worth their salt
would close the door on that."
As Secretary of State, Phillips continued her work
for civil rights and women's equality.
>> When people would say, "What's hardest,
being the first woman or the first black?"
When I really think about it, very often there are times
when they do forget that I'm a black person,
but they never forget that I'm a woman.
>> Community groups across Wisconsin invited her to speak
at their events.
Sometimes she would be paid to appear.
>> Before I became Secretary of State I would say,
how about $50 or $25.
It would always be some very minor thing, then I could
give it a black church.
It was a pittance and I thought I was in the position
where I could demand more.
>> As Secretary of State, Phillips often requested
speaking fees higher than the state ethics board advised.
In 1981, she was accused of numerous ethics violations,
and ultimately was required to pay back more than $8,000.
>> The question of accepting honoraria,
you can legally do it during your term and deposit the money
as campaign money.
But taking it as personal money, that's something else.
You're using a public office for personal gain.
That's really the distinction.
That got Vel into trouble.
>> Big mistake.
It was not a wise thing to do.
And of course, the papers blew it up.
>> Well, she's trying to rewrite state laws for her benefit.
It's pretty clear, but state laws are state laws.
They apply equally whether you're male, female,
black, white, Asian.
We all have to abide by the same laws.
>> But of course, there were people who didn't like me
for whatever I did.
>> This time, Dale could not help her.
>> He thought if anything that caused a furor
that I should not do it, it's not worth it.
♪ ♪
I never liked to lose, but I understood.
>> She accepted the results with real sadness.
She just sort of pulled into herself.