After her death, Ortega was eulogised by PLM leader Ricardo Flores Magón as an exemplary revolutionary woman, changing the attitudes of the party leadership towards women's participation in the Mexican Revolution.

[11] She and her daughter helped to smuggle supplies into the city from the United States,[12] bringing them weapons, ammunition and dynamite,[13] which they hid in the lining of their clothes.

[19] They eventually reached Yuma, Arizona,[20] where they were arrested by American border guards, but friends helped them to escape to Phoenix under assumed identities.

[24] But Gallegos, who had been put in charge of the Sonora border guards, came across the two Magonistas and arrested them; Cortés was shot and Ortega taken back to Baja California.

[14] Following her death, Ortega received notable praise from Ricardo Flores Magón,[30] who held her up as an exemplary revolutionary woman due to her altruism and patriotism.

[31] In his eulogy to her, Flores Magón described her as:[33] An able horsewoman and an expert in the use of firearms, Margarita crossed the enemy lines and smuggled arms, munitions, dynamite, whatever was needed, to the comrades on the field of action.

Margarita Ortega had a great heart: from her horse, or from behind a rock, she could shoot down a government soldier, and a little later once could see her caring for the wounded, feeding the convalescents, or providing words of consolation to the widows and orphans.

Apostle, warrior, nurse – this exceptional woman was all of these simultaneously.In giving this eulogy, Flores Magón's aim was to inspire the reader to take up arms, both through Ortega's bravery as well as her husband's "cowardice".