The life of Dr. Bernice Stephens Dodd began on March 17, in Phenix City, Alabama, where she was born the seventh child of seven to the late Herbert and Lillie B. (Moore) Stephens. On October 17, after a brief illness, she peacefully entered eternal rest into the Hands of Jesus.
Taken from the OICs 20th Anniversary Commemoration book, as stated in her own words, watching the American Dream come true: “I’m no stranger to greens, hog snoots, and beans” she said. “We raised all the food we ate.” Raising okra, collard greens, milk warm from the cow, cane syrup, cucumbers, tomatoes, pecans, corn, beans and hogs was how “Uncle Hubbard”, his wife Lille B. and seven children made a living on their back country farm in Alabama.
As the youngest of seven, Bernice was sometimes accused of being spoiled. “Maybe, she muses, but not much. “ Bernice stated that “I didn’t know that I was poor, we never wanted for anything.” “I had wonderful parents, we were strong in the Lord “. Daddy, as she affectionately called her father, “believed strongly in God, education, and not wasting time and all of his children respected his passion for these values.” At an early age, Bernice was touched by the Spirit of God during a revival and joined the Mount Olive Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Henry Harris.
While working the corn fields, during her senior year, Bernice announced her intention to go to college after graduation. Her father asked her where the money was coming from and she said “I don’t know but I had to go to college. At the time her mother was making clothes out of flour sacks or buying used things in town. The only job available was to work in town as kitchen help for white folks, and daddy he didn’t want me doing that.” She graduated as valedictorian of her class and left for the State University, with her father paying for all four years of school and giving her two dollars a month spending money. Originally she had planned to be a secretary, but changed her mind and studied to become a teacher, graduating with honors.
After her matriculation from Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama, Bernice taught school for two years. “I could see it was not for me,” she said, “I wanted more . . . I was to confined . . . I was more of a public person.” She decided to go back to school with the money she had saved from teaching. While attending Atlanta University, she received two job offers, one to teach at the college level and an offer made by the late Welcome T. Bryant to come to Omaha and work for the Women’s Job Corp. Bernice chose the latter and in July 1965, she came to Omaha, where she was Resident Advisor with the Women’s Job Corps. She later received her Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
As a true believer of the word of God, Bernice had a special compassion for the least of these. She knew her purpose and set out on her mission to provide educational and vocational training that was so desperately needed in the community and in 1966; Bernice began volunteering at OIC teaching English in an abandoned drug store on the corner of 24th and Lake. All the staff were volunteers and they were there to teach motivation and life skills along with basic education and skill training. “We offered a well rounded education . . . we feel it gives and graduates a better basis for self-respect and they can stay at a job when they didn’t feel inferior,” she once stated.
Bernice Stephens became President/CEO of the Omaha OIC in 1971 and remained at the helm for 35 years. Bernice accounted that her most significant years at OIC were 1976 and 1977. It was during these years she that she married, finished work on her doctorate degree in Educational Administration, and moved into the new two million dollar OIC building. She was highly respected by the National OICA and hosted the National Convention, where the late Rev. Leon Sullivan and other dignitaries came to Omaha and experienced a tremendous time. The years of the OIC’s existence in Omaha have been years of struggle and success, and through it all Dr. Dodd remained prayerful, positive and determined to graduate employable students and for them to become self sufficient.
In Omaha Bernice found a church home and joined Salem Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Reverend Dr. J.C. Wade Sr. where she was a faithful and loyal member until her death. She served on the Trustee Board, Salem Inspirational Recording Choir, the Voices of Victory, the Bread of Life Speech Choir, Board of Directors, J.C. Wade Manor, a member of the Contemporary Bible Sunday School Class, and former director of the Salem Nursery Program, and the Parent’s Advisory of Salem Stepping Saints Drill Team. She also served with the Minister’s Wives Council, and was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr Dodd’s community leadership brought her numerous awards and honors and recognition for outstanding dedication and commitment to service.
On April 16, 1976 she united in Holy Matrimony to William Dodd and to this union were two children, Charod and Charese, the joy and love of her life.
Dr. Dodd was like a mother and mentor to so many young women, men and children. Children in the OIC Childrencare referred to her as “Ms Dr. Dodd”. Her wisdom and smile radiated and she loved life and all of God’s children. She will be tremendously missed by all.
