Dorothy Matthews-Paynter

Dorothy Matthews-Paynter (1922–2024) was a Bermudian hairstylist, beautician, and trichologist. She operated her salon, Dottie's Unisex, at least through her 100th birthday. She was known for introducing the hair weave, the perm, precision cutting, and the cold perm to Bermuda. She was also Bermuda's only trichologist. Biography Matthews was born on June 26, 1922, and raised in Paget Parish. By age 11, she was orphaned, and she was raised by her grandmother. At a young age, she was interested in becoming a hairdresser, a teacher and a lawyer.

She first did hairdressing for classmates at her school, which got her pocket money. At 13, she began working at a hospital, but quit after being harassed by an orderly. During World War II, she worked at the Everest Hotel: one of the guests she took meals to was former Nazi turned opponent Otto Strasser. This led her to become known as the "Queen B" of Bermuda's hairstyling.

She earned her Bachelor's Degree in 1993 from the Dudley Cosmetology University, and earned her PhD from the same institution in 1996, She was also Bermuda's only certified trichologist and 100th birthdays.

She was awarded a Badge of Honour in 1997 for her community fundraisers, including her cut-a-thon, which she held for more than 50 years. She is the subject of a book, The Life and Times of a Bermudian Legend, Dr. Dorothy Matthews-Paynter.

She stated she would never stop working at her salon until her death, stating "End, what end?... The shop keeps me going." and later "Hairdressers never die, they just curl away." She was mourned by Bermuda Senate President Joan Dillas-Wright and Bermuda Premier David Burt, among others.