News & Events

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]

Women from several classes across three decades caught up with their sisters, reflected on their NOSW experience, played games and received awards at the NOSW graduate reunion. Gathering on Zoom on December 4, graduates shared their reasons for ... [Continue reading]

We're excited to welcome Cassie Chambers, author of Hill Women, for a discussion with NOSW graduates on December 6 on Zoom. Cassie grew up in Berea and Eastern Kentucky, earned degrees from Yale and Harvard, and came back to Kentucky as a ... [Continue reading]