"ThisisVelPhillips, a remarkable woman and dedicated, experienced public servant for 30 years." "(music)" "In1978,Phillipsdecided to run for Wisconsin" "Secretary of State." "Ithinkcampaigningishard ." "Really hard." "OnSeptember12th,she beat eight other primary candidates, winning by almost double the votes of the nearest contender and gaining the Democratic nomination." "Ithinkit 'sendurance and able to stay positive." "Inthegeneralelection, in an increasingly conservative political environment, Phillips was forced to outspend her opponents." "Myhusbandsaid,"Yourdaddy 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." "VoteVelPhillips for Secretary of State." "[bell rings]" "OnNovember7th,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." "Shewasin 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."" "WhenEbonymagazineaskedher 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." "Whenpeoplewouldsay , "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." "Communitygroupsacross Wisconsin invited her to speak at their events." "Sometimes she would be paid to appear." "BeforeI 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." "AsSecretaryof 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." "Thequestionof 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." "Bigmistake." "It was not a wise thing to do." "And of course, the papers blew it up." "Well,she'stryingtorewrite 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." "Butofcourse,therewere  people who didn't like me for whatever I did." "Thistime,Dalecouldnot help her." "Hethoughtif anything that caused a furor that I should not do it, it's not worth it." "(music)" "I never liked to lose, but I understood." "Sheacceptedtheresults with real sadness." "She just sort of pulled into herself."