Title: Executive Director
Company: Transitional Options for Women
Location: Roanoke, VA United States

Dorothy Owsley feels that all of her experiences in life prepared her for her current career with Transitional Options for Women. The nonprofit organization provides a safe transitional housing alternative for women release from prison by helping them with a variety of life skills. To do this, the facility uses an eight-step program, which is the keystone to developing self-sufficiency and empowerment. Ms. Owsley, a disabled Navy veteran, recently left her job with Goodwill Industries to serve the nonprofit full time. In her previous employment, the need for these services was apparent, and no one was addressing the issue. Ms. Owsley’s role also has a personal note; she has a daughter who has spent time in prison, so she knows how imprisonment can affect a family. She really wanted to do something to change lives and improve her community, so she did.

The biggest challenge Ms. Owsley faced was re-zoning the property she rents for the organization. She is proud of keeping the organization afloat, and attributes her success to her determination to not give up on her dreams. Looking to the future, Ms. Owsley hopes to make the organization self-supporting and to purchase a building of her own. She currently holds a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Library and Information Science in legal studies from Kaplan University, and is an honored member of The International Women’s Leadership Association.  Furthermore, Ms. Owsley participates with Women United, the Roanoke City Re-Entry Council, the Blue Ridge Re-Entry Council, and the United Black Veterans Society.

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