TAPAC honors the initiative, drive, and leadership of Dr. Gwendolyn Sneed O'Neal (1946-2024) in creating our valuable organization. Dr. O'Neal was a visionary and a doer. She knew the incredible value a textiles and apparel-specific accreditation commission would bring to all the related institutions, and she spared no time and energy championing for the establishment of TAPAC. From the time she chaired of the ITAA Accreditation Task Force established in 2012, to the launch of TAPAC in 2017,  to now, her efforts are benefiting many higher education programs in the textile and apparel field.

There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains.  Gwen was such a person, leaving behind a significant legacy in the field of consumer, apparel, and retail studies.