New Opportunity School for Women

Women from Appalachia who haven’t had access to higher education or whose circumstances have left them in poverty, shame or some other financial or personal predicament now have hope for a new beginning.

Thanks to the creation of a New Opportunity School for Women at Bluefield College, these women have the opportunity to confront their circumstances, overcome their conditions, and pave the way for a better life.

How did the New Opportunity School for Women begin?

What's the purpose of the New Opportunity School for Women?

How is the mission of the New Opportunity School fulfilled?

What is the residential program of the New Opportunity School all about?

What will I learn by attending the NOSW residential program?

What is the cost of the NOSW residential program?

Who is eligible to attend the NOSW residential program?

When is the next residential program at Bluefield College?

What's the application process for the residential program?

How do I apply to attend the residential program?

Where can I get more information?

How can I support the New Opportunity School?

How it All Began

The New Opportunity School for Women was founded by Jane B. Stephenson in 1987 at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, out of an urgent need to help women in Appalachia become better educated and employed. The NOSW expanded to a second site at Lees-McCrae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina, in 2005, and is now celebrating its growth into the Appalachian regions of Virginia and West Virginia through the establishment of a third location at Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia.

Purpose

The New Opportunity School for Women (NOSW) is designed to improve the educational, financial and personal circumstances of low-income, under-educated, middle-aged women in the Appalachian region.

The Residential Program: How the NOSW Mission is Fulfilled

Fourteen women will be chosen to come to the Bluefield College campus in Bluefield Virginia, to participate in a life-changing three-week residential program held each year in May. At the end of the experience, graduates will go on to accomplish personal and professional goals they never thought possible.

Instruction/Training in the Residential Program

Career Development: internships, resumé writing, interview skills, interest/personality inventories, computer basics, leadership development
Educational Development: Appalachian literature, women’s health issues, creative writing, journaling, public speaking, professional mentoring
Personal Development: building self esteem, professional presentation, makeovers, interview wardrobe, self-defense
Cultural Development: regional field trips, pot luck suppers, fun/recreation, theatre/arts

Cost

There is no cost for attending the New Opportunity School for Women. Rooms and meals will be provided at no cost to the participants. Grants for travel and childcare are available; however, childcare cannot be provided on campus during the three-week school. Funding has been generously provided by friends of the New Opportunity School for Women.

Who Can Attend

Eligible to participate in the residential program are women who...

are from the Appalachian region of Virginia or West Virginia
have completed high school or have or are working on a GED, but do not have a college degree
are approximately between the ages of 30 and 55
have low income
demonstrate motivation and an eagerness to learn
are committed to remaining on campus for the entire three-week program, including weekends.

The Application Process

Applications for the NOSW residential program should be submitted by mid-March to ensure consideration. Finalists will be interviewed either in person or by telephone. Applicants will be expected to express what they hope to accomplish in their personal life through the experience of the New Opportunity School for Women. Those chosen to participate in the residential program will be notified by early April.

The Next Residential Program

The next three-week residential program for the New Opportunity School at Bluefield College will begin the second Sunday in May 2013.

For More Information

For more information, read a BC news article about the New Opporunity School for Women, or contact BC’s New Opportunity School director Cheryl Shippey by e-mail at or by phone at 276-326-4257, or visit the NOSW Foundation web site at www.noswfoundation.org.

Make an Online Gift to Support the New Opportunity School

Those who attend and benefit from the New Opportunity School do so for free, thanks to the generosity of donors who support the NOSW. Become a supporter today to help make it possible for even more women to enjoy the rewards of the New Opportunity School. During the giving process, be sure to designate your gift in the "notes" section to the "New Opportunity School for Women."

To Apply

For an application to attend the New Opportunity School for Women, please complete and submit the form at the bottom of this page. Please note, all form fields are required for submission.