Can you believe August is almost gone? Summer has flown by, and we have been so thankful for your support through another wonderful summer here in Appalachia! This month has been a busy and beautiful one here at the New Opportunity School for Women, and we are so grateful to bring you along.

We kicked off the month in the most heartwarming way, gathering our graduate sisterhood together for our annual Graduate Reunion on August 1st. There is truly nothing quite like watching our graduates walk back into each other's lives, and this year was no exception. From there, we jumped right back into the work we love, welcoming 32 incredible women from Berea Beauty Academy for a Three-Day Non-Residential Session on August 18th through 20th. Watching those women grow and show up for themselves over those three days was everything.

As summer winds down and the back-to-school buzz fills the air, we find ourselves looking ahead with so much excitement. Mountain Mischief is just around the corner on September 6th, our October Two-Week Immersive Session is on the horizon, and there is so much more in store before the year is done. We are fired up about everything still to come, and there is nothing quite like knowing this incredible community is right there with us!

We hope your summer has been filled with good memories, easy days, and plenty of moments that filled your cup. Thank you for standing beside us. Now, let's finish this summer strong!

The Appalachian Sisterhood: The Power of Transformation

Have you gotten your hands on Issue One yet? Because if not, the clock is ticking! Issue Two is dropping before the end of summer, which means your window to grab the inaugural edition is closing fast. Trust us, you do not want to miss where it all began.

The Appalachian Sisterhood is filled with raw, honest, first-person stories from real NOSW graduates, told in their own words and from their own perspectives. These are the kinds of stories that stay with you, the kind that make you laugh, cry, and feel a little less alone in whatever you are walking through. Subscriptions are donation-based, meaning you choose what works for you, and are available in both digital and print formats.

Do not wait on this one! Grab Issue One before Issue Two arrives, and while you are at it, share this with someone in your life who loves a story worth reading. Pass it along to a friend, a sister, a neighbor, or anyone who could use a reminder of just how strong women truly are. The more people we reach, the louder these voices become!

Grants & Funding Updates

We have some incredible news to share this month, and we simply cannot let it pass without making a big deal out of it! We are deeply honored and incredibly grateful to announce that we have received a $25,000 grant from the Bluegrass Community Foundation through their Stewart-Hindman Endowment Fund.

This is no small thing. Awards like this one represent so much more than dollars. They represent belief, trust, and a shared commitment to the women we serve every single day. To the Bluegrass Community Foundation, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your generosity fuels this mission in ways that words can barely capture, and we are so honored to have your support behind us. We will put every single dollar to work for the women who need it most.

Berea Beauty Academy Students and Instructors

Three-Day Session with Berea Beauty Academy | August 18-20, 2026

On August 18th, 19th, and 20th, we had the privilege of welcoming 32 women from Berea Beauty Academy for a Three-Day Non-Residential Session. Together, we worked through some of the core principles that are vital to a healthy relationship with one's self, boundaries being just one of many, and how to put them into practice in real life. Watching these women show up with open hearts, engage deeply with the material, and walk away with a greater sense of self was a powerful reminder of why this work matters so much.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Berea Beauty Academy for their continued and longtime support of NOSW. Their trust in us to serve their community means more than words can say, and their commitment to investing in the women around them is something we deeply admire. We look forward to many more opportunities to serve alongside them in the future!

To stay up to date with NOSW News, click the button below to go to the News page on our website.

Graduate Reunion | August 1, 2026

What an incredible day it was! On August 1st, we had the absolute joy of gathering our NOSW graduate community together for our annual Graduate Reunion, and it did not disappoint. There is truly nothing like watching these women walk back through the door and right back into each other's arms. The room was full of laughter, warmth, and the kind of connection that only comes from a shared experience as powerful as NOSW.

Throughout the day, graduates came together for meaningful growth exercises, shared a meal together, and took time to reflect on their hopes and dreams for the future. It was a beautiful reminder of just how far these women have come and how much further they are destined to go. We are so grateful for every graduate who made the trip and poured their heart into the day. Until next year!

Movie Night at the Judy Drive-In | August 15, 2026

On August 15th, we headed to the Judy Drive-In in Mt. Sterling for our How to Train Your Dragon movie night, and while the extreme heat and stormy weather may have kept some folks away, the people who did brave the elements made the evening something to smile about. To everyone who showed up despite the heat and the storms, thank you. You chose to be there anyway, and that means more to us than you know.

Every person who comes out to support our fundraisers, rain or shine, helps us continue doing the work we love. We are already looking ahead to our next event and cannot wait to see even more of you there. Thank you for your continued support, and it never goes unnoticed!

Appalachian Mountain Mischief Festival | September 6, 2026

Drop everything, because this one is going to be a blast! The Appalachian Mountain Mischief Festival is coming in hot on Sunday, September 6th, and we are ready to have some fun! Compete in our fishing tournament for three top prizes including a 50/50 cash split, let the kids fish for FREE all day, and enjoy food trucks, vendors, inflatables, face painting, a Dad Bod Competition, and a Food Eating Contest. There is truly something for everyone! Children 5 and under have FREE admission to the event. Every ticket purchased supports the women of NOSW, so come for the chaos and stay for the cause. Fishing tournament entry is $50. Grab your tickets before they are gone!

Mullet Madness | Enter the Mullet Contest!

Think you have got the most legendary mullet in all of Kentucky? Here is your chance to prove it and win cold hard cash doing it! Entry is completely free. Just submit your name and a photo of that glorious hairstyle, rally your fan club for the public vote, and show up to Mountain Mischief on September 6th ready to be crowned. Business in the front, party in the back, and bragging rights forever. All mullets welcome!

Millstone Festival | October 3, 2026

Mark your calendars for one of the best days of fall! On Saturday, October 3rd, you can find us right in the heart of Downtown Richmond's historic district on Main Street for the Millstone Festival. Spend the day enjoying live entertainment, browsing local vendors, and soaking up all the fun this beloved community tradition has to offer. And when you need a little breather, come find our table and say hi! We would love to see you there!

Decades After Dark | Coming Spring 2027!

We have some news about our upcoming Decades After Dark dance! Due to a venue change, we have decided to move this fabulous evening to the Spring, and honestly, a spring dance just sounds even better! Go ahead and erase November 14th from your planners and pencil in "Decades After Dark, Spring 2027" instead. Dust off those decade-inspired outfits, because this one is still happening and it is going to be worth the wait! Stay tuned for updated details coming after the new year. You are not going to want to miss this one!

Hum Your Way to Happy

When is the last time you caught yourself humming along to a song without even thinking about it? Turns out, your body might have been onto something. Science suggests that humming and singing are not just enjoyable pastimes. They are actually good for you in some pretty remarkable ways, and the benefits kick in faster than you might expect.

Here is the science behind it. Running through your body is something called the vagus nerve, which is one of the longest and most important nerves in your entire system. It plays a huge role in regulating your mood, your stress response, and your overall sense of calm. When you hum or sing, the vibrations created in your throat and chest directly stimulate the vagus nerve, essentially sending a signal to your brain that it is time to settle down and relax. Pretty cool, right?

Here is what regularly humming or singing can do for you:

Lower stress and anxiety. Stimulating the vagus nerve activates your parasympathetic nervous system, the part of your body responsible for rest, calm, and recovery, helping to bring your stress levels down naturally.

Improve your mood. Singing and humming trigger the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, including dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. That is essentially a triple shot of happiness, and it costs absolutely nothing.

Slow your heart rate. The steady, rhythmic breathing that comes naturally with humming or singing helps regulate your heart rate and can leave you feeling noticeably more grounded.

Boost your immune system. Research has found that singing increases levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that plays a key role in your body's first line of defense. Who knew a little tune could keep you healthier?

Help you sleep. Humming before bed has been shown to calm the nervous system and ease the transition into sleep, making it a simple and soothing addition to any nighttime routine.

So here is your permission slip for today. Hum while you wash the dishes. Sing in the car at the top of your lungs. Belt it out in the shower with zero apologies. You do not need to be able to carry a tune to carry the benefits. Your nervous system does not care if you sound like Dolly Parton or a slightly off-key garage band. It just wants you to make some noise. So go ahead. Make some noise today!

References:
Breit, S., Kupferberg, A., Rogler, G., & Hasler, G. (2018). Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain-gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 44. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044Grape, C., Sandgren, M., Hansson, L. O., Ericson, M., & Theorell, T. (2003). Does singing promote well-being? An empirical study of professional and amateur singers during a singing lesson. Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science, 38(1), 65-74. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02734261Kreutz, G., Bongard, S., Rohrmann, S., Hodapp, V., & Grebe, D. (2004). Effects of choir singing or listening on secretory immunoglobulin A, cortisol, and emotional state. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 27(6), 623-635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-004-0006-9Vickhoff, B., Malmgren, H., Åström, R., Nyberg, G., Ekström, S. R., Engwall, M., Snygg, J., Nilsson, M., & Jörnsten, R. (2013). Music structure determines heart rate variability of singers. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 334. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00334

If the stories from our June Two-Week Residential Session have been sitting with you, or if you have been reading the stories in our magazine, The Appalachian Sisterhood, and found yourself nodding along, seeing pieces of your own life in the words of our graduates, that feeling is not an accident.

You were made for more, and we would love to help you find it.

Applications for our October Two-Week Residential Session are open now! If a two-week program feels like too big of a leap right now, our Three-Day Non-Residential Sessions are a wonderful and accessible place to start. Head to our website for everything you need to get started, and take that first step toward your next chapter.

And if someone came to mind just now while you were reading, send this their way. You never know whose life could change because you did.

Remaining dates for this year's Three-Day Non-Residential Sessions:

Ready to take that first step? Visit the 'What We Do' tab on our website to explore everything NOSW has to offer, and click below when you are ready to apply!

We Need You! Volunteer at Mountain Mischief!

Listen up, because we are calling all hands on deck for the most mischievous fundraiser NOSW has ever thrown! Mountain Mischief is just around the corner on September 6th, and we need some fun-loving, hard-working volunteers to help us pull it off in style!

Whether you want to be in the thick of the action or prefer to work your magic behind the scenes, we have got a spot with your name on it. Check out the list below for all the ways you can get involved. Choose your role and get ready to get a little rowdy for a really great cause. Every volunteer who shows up helps us raise money that goes directly toward keeping our programs running and our community strong for the women who need us.

Sign-ups close August 31st, so do not wait too long! Reach out to us at mrisner@nosw.org or lsebastian@nosw.org or give us a ring at 859-985-7200. Come on out and make some mischief with us!

To view a full calendar of our 2026 schedule and events, please visit www.nosw.org/calendar/