New Opportunity School for Women 204 Chestnut St. Berea, KY. 40403 (859)-985-7200 Improving the Lives of Women in the Appalachian Region and Kentucky

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 23 years, over 580 women have completed the School's three-week residential program. During 2007, 794 women benefited from the NOSW's total programs, which also include career and education outreach and counseling.