They are affectionately referred to as long-distance runners. Combined, Carrie Tankard, Marie Araujo and Lorna Andrade have provided over 85 years of service to the Martha’s Vineyard branch of the NAACP. At noon today, the organization will honor the women for their marathon of service to the Island branch, which is one of the most active and diverse in the country.

“These [are] three outstanding ladies who gave of themselves to help others,” said Marie Allen, first vice president of the Vineyard NAACP.

The women will be honored at a luncheon at the Grill restaurant in Edgartown. The luncheon will begin with an invocation by the Rev. Marcia Buckley, an executive committee member of the branch, followed by a greeting from Vineyard chapter NAACP president Laurie Perry-Henry. Ms. Allen will have the pleasure of introducing the honorees to the guests to recognize the women’s remarkable contribution to the organization, both locally and nationwide.

“No branch can survive without the dedication and commitment of its officers, executive committee members, and members. The Martha’s Vineyard branch has fulfilled all requirements thanks to the committed service of these ladies, and that’s why we’re honoring them,” said Ms. Allen.

Carrie Tankard decided to join the NAACP as soon as she relocated with her family to the Vineyard in 1967. They were living in New Jersey when dangerous riots broke out, forcing the family to seek a safer home. Mrs. Tankard and her late husband brought their six children to live on the Island because they had relatives living here. She worked as a dental assistant, and used much of her free time for the NAACP. She has since served under eight branch presidents, first as secretary, then as first vice president for 35 years. This year, Mrs. Tankard is active as the second vice president. “Carrie has been an invaluable asset to the branch,” said Ms. Allen. “She has served on the scholarship committee, she has chaired Kwanzaa and the Martin Luther King Jr. membership and awards dinner, the holiday bazaar, and provided black history exhibits to the schools,” she said, naming a few of the contributions. Mrs. Tankard works closely with the NAACP’s Freedom Fund, which helps organize fundraisers for the program. In 2005, she announced in the Gazette that the annual Freedom Fund 5K road race had been renamed the George V. Tankard Jr. Memorial Road Race in memory of her late husband.

Mrs. Tankard has been recognized for her service before. In 1991, she was the recipient of the family membership certificate, awarded by the NAACP national membership director, for enrolling 15 of her family members in the organization. She was also honored with an unsung hero award by the New England Area Conference of Branches in 2006.

Mrs. Tankard named the contributions that she considers most important in her years as an NAACP member:

“We were very instrumental in getting affirmative action programs in the hospitals, the high school, and the Steamship Authority. We have also done many things with other organizations on the Island like the Hebrew Center and Island Housing, and we give scholarships to deserving seniors each year,” she said.

She said she remains an active NAACP member because it keeps her motivated. “Especially now, since I’m retired and my children have grown up. It keeps me involved with the community,” she said.

Another honoree is Marie Araujo, a geriatrics nurse who currently serves as nursing supervisor at the Windemere Long Term Care and Rehabilitation Facility in Oak Bluffs.

Mrs. Araujo served for 15 years as the Martha’s Vineyard NAACP branch treasurer. She also served as chief financial officer and as chairman of the finance committee. According to Ms. Allen, it is Mrs. Araujo’s meticulous approach to the branch’s finances that has earned her a seat of honor at the luncheon. “She was very conscientious in executing financial reports to the executive committee,” said Ms. Allen. “She always submitted the required reports, the year-end financial reports, to the national office before they were due.”

Dr. Lorna Andrade, the third honoree at today’s luncheon, is being honored for her service as an executive committee member in various positions, namely as the second vice president. “She is a well-known member of many Vineyard committees and has served on many Island boards,” said Ms. Allen. “As far as the branch is concerned, she has served under five presidents. Presently she is a member, but we are honoring her for her past service. Her service to the Martha’s Vineyard branch has been extensive.”

Mrs. Andrade, a registered nurse and PhD, was also appointed by the Dukes County Commissioners as branch representative for the Dukes County Health Council, a position she maintained for eight years. She has chaired various branch committees, and founded the Vineyard NAACP Spirituals Choir.

“Because she is such a longtime member of the branch, she is very knowledgeable about our history, and she’s been very helpful in making suggestions about events and that kind of thing,” said Ms. Allen.

Today, the Vineyard NAACP will have the chance to show its gratitude for so many years with such committed women. “We are honoring them because they have given themselves to help others, and for their extraordinary service,” said Ms. Allen.

“I’m a little excited,” said Mrs. Tankard about being honored by her friends and committee members. “It’s nice to be honored, especially when your family tells you you’ve done good. That makes it special. And I feel as though they are family. Many of us have been together a long, long time.”