Margaret T. Ordoñez, PhD, brings her diverse expertise in textile cleaning, repair, stabilization, and conservation to her work. As the owner of Ordoñez Textile Conservation Services, she leverages her knowledge of archaeological textiles and historical textiles to conserve pieces for the Tennessee State Museum, the Kentucky Museum, and other private clients. Dr. Ordoñez previously excelled at the University of Rhode Island from 1979 to 2011, where she is now a professor emerita in the Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design. After working as a high school chemistry teacher for nearly a decade, she entered her current field as a teacher of textile conservation at Kansas State University in 1976. As a prolific professional and contributor in her field, Dr. Ordoñez co-authored “Conservation Concerns in Fashion Collections: Caring for Problematic Twentieth-century Textiles, Apparel and Accessories.”
Dr. Ordoñez her success is a result of the support she received from her parents. Following her experience as a high school chemistry teacher, she took a course in historic textiles and fell in love with the discipline. She attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and obtained a Bachelor of Science in clothing and textiles, later graduating with a Master of Science in the same subject. In 1977, Dr. Ordoñez concluded her higher education at Florida State University, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in textile and clothing. Throughout her career in the field, she has continued to learn about textiles, needlework, and fabric construction and is grateful to have been able to parlay her expertise into a successful career. Reflecting on her professional accomplishments, Dr. Ordoñez is most grateful for the support of her family.
Among her professional achievements, Dr. Ordoñez considers teaching and influencing students to be her greatest accomplishments. To open her students’ eyes to the field of textile conservation gave her great pride. Devoted tow her field, Dr. Ordoñez maintains affiliation with the Conservation Society of America, the American Institute for Conservation, the North American Textile Conservation Conference, and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. For her legacy of professional excellence spanning decades in her industry, she was nominated for the American Institute for Conservation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. Dr. Ordoñez has been additionally recognized for her contributions as a Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owner and a Marquis Who’s Who Industry Leader.