The Gift of Session

The classroom sits empty and there is silence in the hallways—
something seems to be missing? It’s been nearly two weeks since
our graduates were welcomed into the NOSW Sisterhood and those
of us on staff are aware of the quiet. We were honored and excited to
celebrate and welcome into our NOSW sisterhood nine fabulous
women. We miss the laughter, the questions, and I miss the fact that
during session my office felt like Grand Central Station. Thank
goodness for the phone calls, emails, and Facebook posts that keep
us connected. Each of them are engaged in lining up Internships in
their home communities. The gift of session continues.
Session wouldn’t be possible without all the many volunteers,
faculty, meal hosts, our donors, our meal coordinator, house sisters
and core team. I want to thank those who made this session possible:
Carla Baumann (who saved us by organizing our schedule and ar-
ranged for our faculty and outside activities), Jimmie Lewis (whose
presence, hugs and welcoming spirit is so much the core of our
mission), Susan Jordison (who keeps our bills paid, supplies ordered,
notebooks organized all with a smile), Mary Lewis (who hit the ground
running and lights up the room around her), Jasmine Newman (whose
creativity brought beauty and delight to our session), Lauren Skiles
(whose experience as a member of NOSW’s sisterhood and
counseling background bring calm to the rest of us) and Lou Erb (who
was initiated into the role of House Sister after attending our
nonresidential session in Hindman).
At graduation I shared the words from a song written by my friend
Joyce Rouse (aka Earth Mama) called A Small Star. This speaks to
me of our mission and the women we serve, and I want to share an
excerpt with you. Our graduates are small stars shining for us to see!
A Small Star
By Joyce Rouse (Earth Mama)
You don’t have to feel brave to be brave
And I don’t have to feel strong to be strong
We don’t have to feel inspiring to inspire
Remember when your road is rough and long
Even a small star shines in the darkness
For someone somewhere to see
It lights the way for those in the distance
That’s what your courage means to me
With a grateful heart,
Robbie Pentecost
NOSW Interim Executive Director
NOSW Board of Directors
OFFICERS
Betsy Whaley, MACED, President
Kenneth Wells, People’s Bank—Berea, Treasurer
Lauren Skiles (LPA), ‘03 NOSW Graduate, Secretary
DIRECTORS
Mary Absher, ‘05 NOSW Graduate, Community Volunteer
Carla Baumann, Osage Nurse Coaching, LLC
Elizabeth Combs, Wilkes & McHugh
Christie L. Green, Cumberland Valley District Health Department
Rodney Wolfenbarger, Brushy Fork Institute at Berea College

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 2018 Spring Residential Session
FEBRUARY 24TH TO MARCH 10TH
Leaving your comfort zone can be scary, but think about leaving home for
two weeks to take risk of becoming a better you. Absolutely terrifying! Yet
every year for the last thirty one years, women from across Kentucky and
the Appalachian region do just that to attend our residential sessions. This
year on move in day, 10 unbelievably brave women journeyed their way to
the Berea Holiday Inn Express to check-in and meet our staff.
Though the length of our residential session has changed to accommodate
the busy lives of the women who attend our program, our core
programming has stayed consistent. In the first week, women had classes on
women’s integrated health, self-esteem, Appalachian literature, and creative
writing. When not in class, our women went to health appointments and got
to enjoy the company of guest speakers such as founder Jane Stephenson,
long time program friend Gurney Norman, and an amazing presentation on
Hispanic culture by Berea College students Salamata and Guerds.
From the moment they wake up, until they head back to their rooms, our
women are on the go, and it can be an exhausting experience. But by time
Saturday rolled around of their first week, exhaustion turned into
excitement as our women got to enjoy a day of relaxation and
self-reflection. Starting their day with the stylists at Pure Bliss Salon, our
women got to enjoy a little self-love as they got their hair cut and styled
before heading to Richmond to watch The Prodigal’s Journey, a ballet, at
EKU’s Center for the Arts.
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On Sunday the women got to enjoy their
morning, however they wanted to spend it,
before heading to more expressive arts and
enjoying an afternoon tea with the ladies of
Altrusa. However, with the new week on the
horizon, and a schedule even more extensive
than the first, we went from ten participants
to nine. It happens almost every session, and
though we wish that all our participants could
make it to graduation, we know that
sometimes even a good experience can be too much. We recognize the
bravery and work of each participant even if they are unable to complete the
program, we will remain a mentor to all who need us.
With more delicious lunches, and amazing speakers like Mae Suramek of
Noodle Nirvana, the second week of session was just as busy. Continuing
classes on self-esteem, finding their voice, and learning to “Feel the Fear”.
For two afternoons the women continued to step out of their comfort zone
by going out and meeting with some of our wonderful community partners.
From Sustainable Berea to Foley’s Florist, and many more, they had the
chance to explore potential future careers before returning home and
pursuing internships at local organizations. These fifteen hour paid
internships will be a part of their continued mentorship as they return home.
Even with packed schedules, and more than enough reasons to be terrified,
we at the New Opportunity School for Women had the amazing pleasure to
welcome nine new women into the sisterhood on March 10th. As each of
them rose to give a small speech about their experience, they cast aside their
self-decorated masks to reveal their true selves. We are so proud of them,
and the obstacles they have already conquered, and cannot wait to see them
continue to shine.
NOSW NEWSLETTER | PAGE 4
 Introducing NOSW’s New Staff
Spring 2018 Graduates
Melissa Dickinson, Rockcastle County, KY
Naomi Fyffe, Johnson County, KY Mary Lewis is a Johnson County native
Deborah Griffin, Yancy County, SC whose passion is serving others, by
Barbara Harvey, Montgomery County, KY bringing purpose and resources to their
Patty Knox, Montgomery County, KY lives. Mary’s professional experience
Vanessa Lonidier, Laurel County, KY started at Morehead State University
where she assisted students in
Nora McClain, Laurel County, KY
understanding and utilizing their
Kelli Smith, Bay County, FL
strengths to plan for their future careers
Cindy Varnadore, Madison County, KY
position at Berea College, through Partners for Education, where she
provided workshops to parents/families, trained facilitators to
implement teen outreach programs, and taught advocacy work to
teens. Mary believes that everyone deserves an advocate and their
story has value. Though she has had many roles. her favorite role is
being the cheerleader to her daughter, Chloe. Mary is thankful for the
opportunity to work with women from across the region, cheering them
on to be successful.

Born and raised in the mountain foothills of Pike County, Jasmine came
to the New Opportunity School for Women in the summer of 2014 as an
intern through the University of Kentucky’s Appalachian Center. Even
after her internship ended, Jasmine continued to work with the school
Important Dates as an intern, session assistant, and advocate. In 2017, Jasmine joined
the staff as our Marketing and Outreach
Graduate Retreat — August 24th - 27th VISTA and after a year of dedicated
Graduate Reunion — October 6th and hard work, we are pleased to
Festival of Trees — November 2nd - 4th introduce her as Marketing and
Fall Residential Session — November 3rd - 17th Communications Coordinator. In her
new role, Jasmine will continue to run
Non-Residential Sessions the school’s marketing and social
Coming Soon! media, as well as help to develop new
Want to help us host a non-residential session in your county? ways to recruit participants, donors, and
community partners. Outside of NOSW,
Send us an email at info@nosw.org or call us at 859.985.7200
Jasmine also currently serves on the
board of Bluegrass Greyhound

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