On Wednesday, The African American Heritage Trail dedicated its 21st site to three Island educators who have, according to the plaque, “forged a path for others to follow.”
Students, NAACP members, and other Islanders gathered at the Superintendent’s Office to honor Rufus Shorter, Robert Tankard, and Helen Vanderhoop Manning Murray. Mr. Shorter was the first African American Superintendent of Vineyard Schools, who served from 1976-1979, Robert Tankard served as principal of the West Tisbury School from 1992-2001 and was the first African American principal of a Vineyard school, and Ms. Manning Murray was a teacher at Gay Head’s One-Room School during the 50s and 60s, she taught Special Education at the Oak Bluffs School from 1958-1984, and was a proud member of The Wampanoag Tribe on the Vineyard.
The Heritage Trail is a non-profit organization founded by Elaine Cawley Weintraub that serves to honor Islanders of African American Descent who have made a considerable contribution to the history and well-being of the Island.
Plum covered the Heritage Trail’s last dedication at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Edgartown, which honored the founding members of the Martha’s Vineyard chapter of the NAACP. See the video!
Robert Tankard and Elaine Cawley Weintraub will be on the MorningNoon&Night Show this Sunday, talking about educating students about African American History on the Island. Tune in!
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