New Opportunity School for Women

Jane B. Stephenson, wife of former Berea College President, John Stephenson, founded the NOSW in Berea, Kentucky in 1987.The program grew out of an urgent need for women in Appalachia to become better educated and employed.

This need gave rise to the New Opportunity School for Women's Mission of improving the educational, financial, and personal circumstances of low-income, middle-aged women in Kentucky and the south central Appalachian region.

In the past 20 years, over 513 women have completed the Schools three-week residential program. During 2007, 794 women benefited from the NOSW's total programs, which also include career and education outreach and counseling.