This year's conference, "Women Educating Women: Entrepreneurial Leadership," will feature businesswomen and workshops for future entrepreneurs.

The Center for Women, founded in 1990, focuses on helping women in the tri-county area by providing networking opportunities, support groups and educational outreach programs.

"So many women have duel responsibilities," says Executive Director Jennet Alterman, referring to women in the workplace. "Balance (between the two) is our goal."

"(Women) are frequently spread so thin between responsibilities to their families and their work," says Dr. Ann Kulze, a moderator at the conference and founder of Just Wellness. "It can be done, but it is a challenge faced every day."

"There's a pressure. If we are going to have careers, we have to be superwomen," says career expert Hannah Morris. "For so long, women weren't trained to grow up and think that we can (be successful)."

Advertising professional Charlotte Beers will be the conference's keynote speaker.

Beers was named one of the 50 most powerful women by Fortune Magazine in 1998 and was recognized by Glamour Magazine as one of their Women of the Year in 1992.

After Sept. 11, Beers became undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs. When she resigned from her government position in March 2003, Secretary of State Colin Powell awarded Beers the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest honor given by the State Department.

Following Beers' speech, three workshops and a networking session will be offered.

This year's networking session, "Building Social Capital," will be moderated by Linda Ketner, president of KSI Corp. The company specializes in leadership and management development.

Ketner says she decided to use the term "social capital" instead of networking because "social capital is a long-term investment in one another. When a community has a high social capital, it means there's a lot of good working relationships; you know and trust your neighbors.

Ketner has been recognized for her achievements with numerous awards: Center for Women Foundation Award, South Carolina Woman of Valor Award, South Carolina Housing Achievement Award, YWCA Lifetime Achievement Award and the Palmetto Project Award.

One of the workshops featured at the conference, "Girls Just Want to Have Funds," moderated by Alyssa Rakovich, will focus on five rules for investing wisely.

Rakovich is a financial planning specialist and retirement plan consultant.

Kulze plans a discussion on improving the quality of life in the workshop titled "Be Yourself, Only Better -- Dr. Ann's 10 Steps."

As a wellness consultant and retired physician, Kulze has been a consultant for various corporations.

"(The goal is) to teach people what they need to do for permanent weight loss and permanent vitality," says Kulze. "Your state of wellness -- or lack of it -- transcends every moment of your being and, as such, has a profound and pervasive impact on every aspect of your life."

Consultant Claire Stuhr will moderate "Making Successful Transitions and Life Changes," which features a panel of career experts, Jonsye Wurthman and Morris, who will share how to manage life's transitions.

"Our hope is to share our experiences that will foster discussion that will benefit other women ... so they can better survive their own personal and professional transitions," Morris says.

"The great thing about these conferences is that it never hurts to get people together to share a common goal."

"You've got to work your fanny off and be smart as well," Ketner says. "Don't ever think there isn't anything you can do -- and do well."

For more information or to become a member of the Center for Women, go to www.c4women.org or call 763-7333.