Well, my name is Vel Phillips.
And V-E-L is short for Velvalea.
I was named after my aunt in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
many years ago.
>> Velvalea Hartence Rodgers was born on February 18th, 1924
into Milwaukee's small but growing African American
community.
She was the middle of three sisters and the daughter
of Thelma and Russell Rodgers.
>> My father was very gifted.
He also was a splendid cook and we had a restaurant for years.
>> They're fiercely proud of who they are
as African Americans and knowledgeable of
African American history in a time where those things
are not taught.
>> My father was a quiet, strong person.
He had to be strong to put up with my mother who was strong.
>> Vel's mother, Thelma, had three rules for her daughters.
>> She wanted us to be ladies.
We couldn't smoke, we couldn't drink, we couldn't talk loud.
But she wanted us to be smart.