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Human rights activist Nontombi Naomi Tutu, "Miss Manners" Judith Martin and U.S. Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker will join the lineup of high-profile speakers at the upcoming Pennsylvania Governor's Conference for Women.

The fifth annual conference -- co-hosted by Gov. Ed Rendell and the Pennsylvania Commission for Women -- will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, on Oct. 2. The event, which alternates between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, provides a day for women to inspire and better themselves by listening to powerful speakers, attending sessions on many relevant life topics, and networking with other women, promoters say.

"I think you come away with whatever you need," says Pennsylvania first lady and federal judge Marjorie O. Rendell, a spokeswoman and champion for the event. "There's so much positive energy. ... It educates, it invigorates and it uplifts."

Early registration, with discounted fees, ends on Tuesday. More than 3,000 have registered, and a maximum of 5,500 can attend, officials say.

The conference includes a continental breakfast, lunch, keynote speaker sessions and three breakout sessions, with several topics each attendee can choose from. Breakout session topics include weight loss, becoming a better leader, entrepreneurship and running a small business, coping with stress and life changes, managing money, career planning, raising a family, and sexuality. The day will end with a networking session.

Many people come to the conference, with the motto "The Next Chapter of You," because they are seeking something new in life, but they are not sure what, Rendell says. At the conference, they get the inspiration and information they need to take leaps and make changes, like starting a business, she says.

"Everyone has to write their story in life, and it's a story in process," Rendell says. "When you leave the conference, you've finished the first chapters -- and now, it's the next chapter."

Tutu is a peace activist who grew up black and female in apartheid South Africa. Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation, is a former ambassador to the Republic of Hungary. Martin is known for her syndicated "Miss Manners" columns in newspapers.

Other speakers include Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former U.S. Senator and Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards; Liz Smith, a social commentator and founder of wowOwow.com; and Julia Reed, a contributing editor at Vogue and Newsweek and author of books including "The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story."

Edwards, who announced last year that her breast cancer had returned in an incurable form, is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and has been campaigning against the health care proposals of Republican presidential nominee John McCain. She returns to public life following a weeks-long hiatus after her husband admitted to having an affair.

"Having all of these women in one room is empowering," Rendell says.

All of the speakers, along with being accomplished women, have strong charisma with audiences, Rendell says.

"No matter how good someone's work is, they have to be a good speaker," she says. The speakers have the ability, Rendell says, to "translate, communicate, invigorate -- there's not a wasted moment."

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