Jane Stephenson, Founder of the New Opportunity School for Women, Dies at 88 • Kentucky Lantern

Jane Stephenson, founder of the New Opportunity School for Women, dies at 88 • Kentucky Lantern

Jane Stephenson, founder of the New Opportunity School for Women (photo provided)Jane Stephenson, founder of the New Opportunity School for Women and the longtime First Lady of Berea College, died on May 2, 2026 after a brief illness, according to her family. She was 88. Stephenson was born in North Carolina in 1938. She attended Lees McCrae College and Appalachian State University for a degree in business and received a master’s degree from UNC…

Jane Stephenson, founder of the New Opportunity School for Women, dies at 88

By Lantern staff, Kentucky Lantern · May 7, 2026 Jane Stephenson, founder of the New Opportunity School for Women (photo provided) Jane Stephenson, founder of the New Opportunity School for Women and the longtime First Lady of Berea College, died on May 2, 2026 after a brief illness, according to her family. She was 88. Stephenson was born in North Carolina in 1938. She attended Lees McCrae College and Appalachian State University for a degree …