Dorothy Evangeline Stevenson

was born in the Mid-City neighborhood of New Orleans on August 9, 1926 to Naomi and Walter Stevenson. Dorothy grew up surrounded by a close-knit family and doted up on by her grandmother, Orelia Jessemy. While in high school, she enrolled in night classes at the YMCA on Dryades Street to become certified in administrative skills. She graduated from McDonough No. 35 High School in 1944 and soon began working at the Peoples Insurance Company. Dorothy quickly realized working behind a desk was not for her and began working in the layaway department at the historic Krauss Department Store on Canal Street. While commuting to work on the St. Bernard bus route, she met her husband to be, a World War II veteran named James Mitchell. A few years later, they became the proud parents of Josulyn Marie Mitchell. Utilizing her gift for connecting with people, she became an Avon Lady and sold cosmetics door to door. After discovering her love of the beauty industry, she enrolled at Katie's Beauty School and became a licensed hairdresser in 1952. She soon obtained her cosmetology instructor license and was hired to teach at her alma mater. By this time, she and James had parted ways, but they remained good friends. Dorothy opened Dot's Beauty Salon near Xavier University and held annual fashion shows to promote her full-service studio. After achieving success as an entrepreneur, she moved to New York City for advanced training. Upon her return to New Orleans, she opened a second salon on Jackson Avenue in 1959 and expanded her service offerings with the skills she learned in New York. In 1966, with two salons, a growing clientele and a teenage daughter, Dorothy started instructing at Orleans Area Vocation and Technical School (later Sidney Collier). She was the head of the department and developed curriculum for the cosmetology program. Her dream was always to open her own cosmetology school and she knew her experience at Orleans Area would be instrumental in attaining her ultimate professional goal. Dorothy's ultimate personal goal was to see Josulyn graduate from college. Josulyn graduated from Dillard University and married James Williams a few years later at Saint Louis Cathedral. Dorothy loved hosting big over the top celebrations and her daughter's wedding was her most fabulous event yet. Josulyn and Dorothy were not only mother and daughter, but the best of friends. In 1973, she opened Stevenson Academy of Hair Design on Lapeyrouse Street and N. Galvez with a class of twelve students, including her daughter and son-in-law, all of whom became licensed cosmetologists. The Academy grew by leaps and bounds. A consummate business woman, Dorothy opened Exquisite Beauty Supply and became a distributor for Sebastian International Products. In 1985, the West Bank campus was opened. Both campuses were accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and became community fixtures. The flagship location was submerged during Hurricane Katrina and all operations were moved to the West Bank in 2005. The mission of Stevenson Academy has always been to improve the quality of life for its students and their families through education and entrepreneurship. The legacy of Dorothy Stevenson includes a multitude of graduates, business owners and countless others touched by her life as an educator and philanthropist with a giving heart and love for people. Dorothy, a devoted member of Beautiful Zion Baptist Church, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2018 with her family. She leaves behind one daughter, Josulyn, a son-in-law she loved as her own, James and two grandchildren, James, II and Jonique. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 am at Beautiful Zion Baptist Church, 1017 Elmira Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70114. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Stevenson Academy of Hair Design Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 740610, New Orleans, LA 70174.