March on Milwaukee-Home

Forty years ago,
many Milwaukee
residents marched
for the right to
live where they
wanted.

Led by Vel Phillips
and Father James
Groppi, these activists, including the NAACP Youth Council and the Commandos, fought for social justice and racial equality.

Forty years later their struggle continues.

Purpose and Goals:

The March On Milwaukee project hopes that by commemorating the open housing movement we will not only acknowledge and honor past efforts, but re-ignite discussions and refocus attention to problems of social inequity that lay unresolved.

Many relegate the northern civil rights movement to “afterthought status.” One of our missions is to place the northern struggle for racial equality, specifically the Milwaukee Open Housing Marches, front and center – reminding all that racism had no geographic boundaries and segregation existed and still exists above the Mason-Dixon line as well as below. Such an inclusive sense of the civil rights movement may help encourage active civic participation. We believe this message is especially crucial for public school teachers and students, as education remains the chief vehicle of positive change. We will achieve these goals through a variety of public events: a performancean exhibition, a conference, a public gathering, an oral history project and community education programs.

March on Milwaukee Graphic by Jamila Benson

According to the Wisconsin Historical Society website: "African Americans faced a housing crunch in 1960s Milwaukee, often faced with hostility when they moved beyond the confines of existing black neighborhoods. Professor Margaret Rozga, in 'March on Milwaukee: Fr. Groppi and the Open Housing Movement,' looks at the tireless efforts of a white Catholic priest to get a fair housing ordinance in the city of Milwaukee."

***

For more excellent reading, the Summer 2007 issue of Wisconsin Magazine of History features an article on the open housing marches by Peggy Rozga! Click on the link above to order your copy of the magazine.

William Best Hesseltine Award

As an author of an article for Volume 90 of the Wisconsin Magazine of History, Peggy is now eligible for the William Best Hesseltine Award. Readers participate in the selection of the best original article by voting for their choice. The award was established in 1965 in memory of historian and Wisconsin Historical Society past president, William B. Hesseltine. In addition to a certificate and recognition in the Wisconsin Magazine of History and the Wisconsin Historical Society website, the winner also receives a $100 cash prize.

If you would like to cast a ballot for the award go to: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wmh/hesseltine/ballot.asp
Voting ends on September 30, 2007.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES

MORE PRESS...
Friday, July 27, MARCH ON MILWAUKEE
FEATURED IN THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL!

Read the story "Marching to Pass the Torch" by Dani McClain in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel! The story describes the Social Development Commission's Summer Youth Literacy and Leadership Institute, which is focusing on the history of Milwaukee civil rights. Kudos to Adrian Thomas, Scott Walter and all of the youth participants!

Thank you to everyone who made
MARCH ON MILWAUKEE WEEKEND
such a success!
SEPTEMBER 27-30th, 2007
For information about our events click on the following links:

PLAY, EXHIBITION, CONFERENCE, BRIDGE EVENT

See March On Milwaukee on the front page of the October 1st edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and the cover story of the September 27th edition of the Shepherd Express. Also check out Eugene Kane's September 27th column in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. And more in Madison's Capitol Times.