Dedication
Ceremony, May 28, 2008
The African American Heritage Trail dedicated
a new plaque in May 2008, honoring three groundbreaking
Vineyard educators: Helen Vanderhoop Manning Murray,
Rufus Shorter, and Robert Tankard.
The plaque, located at the office of the Martha's Vineyard
Superintendent of Schools on Pine Street in Vineyard Haven,
is the 21st site on the trail that marks the achievements
of African Americans in Island history.
Helen Vanderhoop Manning Murray, who died Jan. 25
at 89 years old is legendary as a Wampanoag/African American
educator, mentor, and role model. She taught at Gay Head's
one-room schoolhouse during the 1950s and 1960s and was a
special education teacher at the Oak Bluffs School from 1968
until 1984. Ms. Murray served on many committees and was director
of education for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head.
Rufus Shorter became the first African
American superintendent of Vineyard schools in 1976, and
served until his death in 1980. He came to the post after
a rich career in education, first as a teacher and then
an administrator in the New York City school system.
Vera
Shorter and Bob Tankard at the dedication |
Mr. Shorter was the Island's first African American superintendent,
but even more importantly he was primarily instrumental
in building the addition to the regional high school, working
closely with principal Greg Scotten and bank president Bill
Honey. The benefits of that addition included the expansion
of the culinary arts and automotive trades departments and
the creation of the performing arts center. It did not only
benefit the school but it benefited the larger community.
Robert Tankard served as principal of the
West Tisbury School from 1993 until his retirement in 2001.
He grew up on the Vineyard, attended Island schools, and for
20 years was the health and physical education teacher at
the Tisbury School.
"It never hit me that I was the first black principal or
that there would be any repercussions. The West Tisbury
School Committee was so open and accepting. There was a
small group against my hiring, but there were so many more
supporters. We made it and we had a great run. It is a time
I'll remember and cherish all my life."
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