The status and problems of aged widows have, to some extent, been camoflaged by the more general concern about older adults. A pilot project was undertaken to identify the existing support networks for aging urban and rural widows and the details of the operation of those systems in order to relate the findings to social and educational policy. Preliminary findings from a sample of 49 widows who were neither disadvantaged nor in a low-income group showed a frequent response of "no one" as an emotional resource. Children and friends were listed next most frequently. These data reveal unmet emotional needs which could be met through educational experiences. The fact that this sample of "above average" widows met most needs through family and friends as resources suggests that educational planners must recognize widows as independent self-regulating individuals. (JAC)