"In1971,VelPhillips got a call from Governor Patrick Lucey." "WhenI gotelectedgovernor, I wanted to build as much support as I could in the black community." "And when I would go to a black church and have Vel Phillips with me, it really set the stage very nicely for my having a favorable reception." "GovernorLuceyaskedPhillips if she would accept an appointment as a children's court judge." "Oh,yeah." "I was surprised." "He called and he said, "There's going to be an opening and I want you to be the first black."" "Inlargerblackcommunities we had it was important to have a sitting judge who was black and the fact that she was a woman was an additional advantage." "IjustthoughtthatIwould  have a chance to help shape someone's life, to really make a difference." "Phillipsleftherseat on the Milwaukee Common Council after 15 years of service and became the first" "African American judge in Wisconsin history." "Ishallremember, for a very long time, this morning." "Because I am sure that there will be many times when remembering your good faith, your confidence in my ability, and your sincere wishes for my success, will be like water to a thirsty traveler." "[cheers and applause]" "[Vel]:" "I loved being in children's court." "I loved it." "Asa children'scourtjudge, Phillips focused her attention on the issues facing African American families." "Adisproportionatenumber of African American kids coming before her because they're disproportionately poor." "She knew the family was important." "Onthebench,Phillipssaw families torn apart by crisis." "In 1974, her family faced a crisis of its own, when her eldest son, Dale Jr. was diagnosed with schizophrenia." "Yousayto yourself, did I do something wrong?" "Thetruthof mentalillness in a family situation, it's a shattering." "He was a paranoid schizophrenic." "He didn't trust." "That mistrust, it hit my father like a hammer blow." "Myhusbanddidn'treally understand." "He thought that if we found out that Dale was having some mental problems, we'd call the doctor, and we'd get his medication and everything, and then he's okay." "And it wasn't quite like that, you know, and that was hard." "I cry when I think about it, because we didn't know how to deal with it." "Oh, it was a difficult time." "It was a difficult time." "Ithinkit separated my parents a certain degree." "I know that my father probably dove into work more." "My mom was, she's never carried a lot of weight, but I think during this period, she was even thinner." "It was a very trying time." "It wouldn't surprise me if my mother looked to a job in Madison as sort of break from some of that."