Margaret Patrick facts for kids

Margaret Patrick (1913–1994) was a talented musician. She was known as "Ebony" in the piano duo called Ebony and Ivory. This duo was made up of two great-grandmothers from New Jersey. One was white, and one was black. They played classical piano together. Both women had a stroke in 1982. This made it hard for them to move parts of their bodies. They met in 1983 and started playing piano using one hand each. A reporter gave them the name "Ebony and Ivory." This was inspired by the popular 1982 song by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder.

Early Life and Music

Margaret Patrick grew up in Harlem, a famous neighborhood in New York City. She started playing the piano when she was eight years old. She loved it right away! By age ten, she played music with her sister, who played the violin. When she was twelve, Margaret was already playing for local singers and orchestras.

In 1929, at 16, Margaret graduated from the Martin Smith Conservatory of Music. She earned a gold medal for her excellent work in piano and music theory classes. This showed how dedicated and skilled she was.

A Life of Teaching and Performing

Margaret married in 1933. She became a piano teacher and taught for 50 years. She kept playing for singers and orchestras. Margaret also played the organ and led the choir at a Presbyterian church in the Bronx.

A very special moment for her was directing a choir that sang with Duke Ellington. He was a famous jazz musician. Margaret told McCall's magazine, "I felt elated to work with him." This means she was very happy and proud.

Overcoming Challenges

In January 1982, Margaret had a stroke. This made her right side weak and made it hard for her to speak. After months in the hospital, she went home to Englewood, New Jersey. She could speak a little, but her right hand could not play the piano.

In late 1982, Margaret started therapy at a senior center. In early 1983, the center's director introduced her to Ruth Eisenberg. Ruth was another great-grandmother who also had a stroke in 1982. The director saw Ruth looking sad at the piano, playing with one hand.

Margaret remembered the director saying, "You have something in common, the piano. Put your two good hands and your heads together, and see what you can come up with." Ruth added that they immediately talked about the composer Chopin. Then they sat at the piano. Ruth played the high notes with her right hand, and Margaret played the low notes with her left. They were thrilled to find out they knew the same songs!

The "Ebony and Ivory" Duo

Margaret and Ruth began practicing at the Senior Center. Sometimes they practiced at Ruth's apartment. In May 1983, a senior center in Teaneck, New Jersey, asked them to play at a party. Their amazing story appeared in local newspapers. Soon, they were invited to play at hospitals and other senior centers. A local reporter called them Ebony and Ivory, and the name became famous. They played in many places, including veterans' homes.

Their story became known across the country. The New York Times shared it, and it was picked up by news services. They appeared on television in the US and other countries. They were on shows with famous hosts like Regis Philbin, Geraldo Rivera, and David Hartman.

Even the famous pianist Liberace was a fan! He made his last television appearance on Hour Magazine. He said he would only come on the show if they brought Margaret and Ruth. Newsman Morry Alter won an award for his CBS News report about them. They were also featured on PM Magazine, CNN, and NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.

Margaret and Ruth's inspiring story was even included in a book by Norman Vincent Peale. It was also in More True Stories, a book for people learning English. Their story has been shared in sermons and religious writings around the world.

Television and Radio Appearances

Margaret Patrick and Ruth Eisenberg appeared on many TV and radio shows. Here are some of them:

• New Jersey and You, WOR-TV (December 1983)
• PM Magazine (May 24, 1984)
• CBS News (October 21, 1985)
• Good Morning America with David Hartman, ABC (September 9, 1986)
• The Morning Show with Regis Philbin, ABC (October 1986)
• Hour Magazine with Gary Collins (December 8, 1986)
• NBC Evening News with Tom Brokaw (May 6, 1988)
• The American Character with Norman Vincent Peale, WOR (February 24, 1985)
• Rambling with Gambling with John Gambling, WOR (October 15, 1985)
• Morning Edition with Karen Michel, NPR/WNYC (March 9, 1987)