Ebby Halliday and Margaret McDermott came from two different backgrounds. Ebby was a country gal who found her way to Dallas and went from selling chapeaus to chateaus. Margaret graduated from Highland Park schools and worked as a journalist at the Dallas Morning News covering the upper crust of society.
But these two ladies had much in common besides living past 100. The two widows were both born during the Depression, loved Dallas, lived in the same charming homes for decades, were known for their keen wit and business acumen and defined philanthropy with their personal involvement and financial support.
Yesterday the Margaret McDermott Bridge was officially opened to pedestrians and cyclists, and last week the Ebby Halliday Foundation committed all it donations during the summer to Wings.
While those are all well and good, they are just a part of Margaret’s and Ebby’s legacy. In addition to the countless other programs created and supported by the two women, the most important gift they have bestowed upon the people and city that they loved was their inspiring others today and in the years to come to go beyond expectations.