News & Events

This year NOSW is pleased to partner with the Berea Food Bank, which provides food and other supplies for our two-week residential sessions. “The partnership with the New Opportunity School is something that’s vital to our interest in this ... [Continue reading]

Seven NOSW graduates and four staff traveled to the Red River Gorge for a graduate leadership retreat September 9-12. The purpose of the annual retreat is to give graduates who are engaged in leadership in their communities a chance to pause, ... [Continue reading]

After arriving in Berea on June 18 for NOSW's first residential session since early 2020, six women spent 14 very full days together doing intense self-development work. They explored self-esteem, professional skills, Appalachian literature and ... [Continue reading]

NOSW is thrilled to once again host a group of women in person. Six women from four Kentucky counties arrived in Berea on Saturday, June 18, for a two-week residential session, the first since early 2020. Just getting here is a challenge, as ... [Continue reading]

In honor of NOSW’s 35th anniversary, founder Jane Stephenson gathered with four graduates on May 9 on Zoom to reflect on the history and impacts of the program. “Thank you, Jane, for your incredible vision and your dedication to building a program ... [Continue reading]

We're excited to host a special online event at 7 pm ET on Monday, May 9 on Zoom. Jane Stephenson, founder of the New Opportunity School for Women, will join NOSW program coordinator and graduate Jennifer Walden and other NOSW graduates for a ... [Continue reading]

We're excited to share with you that our founder, Jane Stephenson, will receive the Berea College Service Award on March 24 in a special convocation. Jane and Appalachian scholar and activist Michael Maloney will be honored for creating ... [Continue reading]

Whew! We’ve had a busy week, with four different online programs. Our graduates gathered on Zoom Monday, February 21, for a discussion of the book Dimestore by Lee Smith with our friends from Altrusa. A three-day program February 21-23 ... [Continue reading]

NOSW’s executive director, Sister Robbie Pentecost, shared her passion for this work in a recent interview with Global Sisters Report, a project of National Catholic Reporter. “I have always been drawn to work with those on the margins, whether ... [Continue reading]

Three NOSW graduates joined author Cassie Chambers for a conversation about the resilience of women, what folks get wrong about Appalachia and more on December 6 on Zoom. Raised in Berea and Owsley County, Kentucky, Cassie is the author of the ... [Continue reading]