Oprah’s Angel Network

Since receiving an Oprah’s Angel Network Use Your Life Award in 2003, the New Opportunity School for Women (NOSW) has continued its successful efforts to help under-served, low-income Appalachian women develop the skills necessary to improve their lives.

“So many exciting things have happened since the award,” said founder Jane Stephenson, who in the weeks after receiving the award on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” watched as www.nosw.org got 12,000 hits and e-mails poured in from individuals wanting to know if a similar program existed in their state.

“People wanted to know how they could start their own program,” said Stephenson. “It was a revelation that so many people were interested in this type of program.”

NOSW founder Jane Stephenson congratulates a student during a graduation ceremony.

Photo courtesy of NOSW, photo by Michael Joslin

Expanding Opportunities

Later that year, at the urging of a friend, Stephenson formed an expansion committee to explore the possibilities of opening another school. There were women, she realized, in other areas of Appalachia who wanted to attend the program but couldn’t get to Berea, Ky., where the original school is located.

The committee served an important role—it helped the organization focus its goals and prepare for the very involved task of opening another school. The committee agreed the school needed to be near a small college campus where NOSW students benefit from resources such as dorm rooms and experienced faculty.

Stephenson immediately knew that her hometown of Banner Elk, N.C.—where Lees-McRae College is located—would provide an ideal setting for a summer program. In July 2005, Stephenson opened a second school in Banner Elk, and three years later it continues to be a point of pride for the community.

“When these women graduate from the program,” said Stephenson, “there are always lots of people from the community who attend (the ceremony) and tell them how proud they are of their accomplishments.”

A World of Opportunity

Women who graduate the program develop lasting relationships with their teachers and peers, calling them in moments of need and taking advantage of their new network to get jobs, attend college or become professionally accredited. The school holds reunions for the women and scholarships are awarded to help defray college expenses.

In turn, graduates want to give back to the program. Shirley*, who had a high school degree when she joined the program, went on to get her bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work. She became a rehab counselor and has since referred over 20 women to the program.

“Because she has been through the same thing as these women,” said Stephenson, “she knows when they are ready—she knows when they are motivated to change their lives, whether it’s because they are coming out of an abusive relationship or are recovering from drug abuse.”

The courses at Lees-McRae teach the same topics as those taught in Berea. Students explore career options, take leadership and financial management classes, go to cultural events at night and learn about Appalachian culture through literature and writing courses. They also receive intern placement assistance and, perhaps most importantly, get a self-esteem boost from the entire experience.

In 2007, Stephenson recounted the program's 20-year history in her book, "Dear to My Heart".

© 2007 Jane B. Stephenson, cover design by Meghan Wright

“There is something deeply moving about seeing that spark of hope and self-esteem return to a woman’s eye when she realizes that she is important, smart, talented and most importantly, worthy of a better life,” said Lori Sliwa, director of the Lees-McRae branch.

Given the success of the two schools, Stephenson hopes to open another school within the next couple of years. The first school celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2007, and the two schools have now graduated more than 580 women.

*At the request of NOSW, this person’s name has been changed.