About Our Supporters

As a federal judge, Jennifer Coffman saw many defendants in front of her bench. One day she met a woman whose confidence was so low she couldn’t make eye contact. The probation officer recommended that this woman attend the New Opportunity School for ... [Continue reading]

Veronica Gayle learned early that you can always make a difference. Her mother, Berta Gayle, raised nine children, encouraging them all to pursue their dreams. Berta always wanted to better herself and consistently helped others do the same, Veronica ... [Continue reading]

Anne Blakeney first learned of the New Opportunity School for Women in the late 1980s. She says she was “awestruck” by the difference the program could make in a woman’s life. Anne grew up in Morristown, Tennessee. Her early career took her to ... [Continue reading]

Anne Christensen and Jeannie Christensen Fischer speak with love and admiration of their big sister, Katherine Christensen. “She was funny with a very dry, scholarly sense of humor,” says Anne (at right in photo). “We would joke about how she ... [Continue reading]

When Angela Anderson speaks of her mother, she uses words like “fierce” and “powerful.” “The thing that really struck me about my mom was that she was a really powerful woman, but she didn’t have a lot of opportunity. And watching her struggle was ... [Continue reading]

NOSW graduates might see themselves in Janet Holloway’s story. Like them, Janet has achieved goals by working hard, believing in herself and uplifting other women. “I do believe that education and mentoring in some form are the keys for women’s ... [Continue reading]

By Elizabeth Hein Akey Executive Director’s note: This beautiful reflection on Elizabeth’s mother shows that so many of our donors have faced challenges similar to those facing the women in our programs—or have known someone with low self-esteem ... [Continue reading]

Kathy Barr has been a weekly volunteer with the New Opportunity School for Women for three years. Before retiring from her position as external affairs coordinator for the College of Business and Technology at Eastern Kentucky University, Kathy ... [Continue reading]

In spring 2020, NOSW received a large gift from the estate of Marjorie (Marge) Keller, a long-time donor to the New Opportunity School for Women.  An unexpected gift is always a blessing to a small non-profit like NOSW, said Executive ... [Continue reading]