Amidst the Superferry controversy, the changing winds of Hawai'i politics and the daily needs of more than a million souls in paradise, Gov. Linda Lingle and a host of volunteers are doing their best to ready Hawai'i for the fourth annual International Women's Leadership Conference on Sept. 25.

I have attended the conferences the past three years — convinced that each has been better than its predecessor — and have always been reinvigorated by new ideas. Where else in one eight-hour day at a cost of less than $200, with breakfast and lunch included, is one able to be treated to a vibrant chorus of successful women who are making an exciting difference in our global world?

This International Women's Leadership Conference does not feature Hollywood personalities, glib tongues and unbecoming flattery; rather, it lifts the vision of women in business, government service and all professions to higher sights, higher standards, and exciting and attainable futures.

The energy in the ballroom of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel will be electrically charged on Sept. 25. Generous sponsors such as American Savings Bank, The Queen's Medical Center, Chevron and State Farm help provide an opportunity for the women of Hawai'i, from the young to the young at heart, to realize their individual potential and collective strength for contribution and leadership to their communities. Many Hawai'i businesses are also providing scholarships for students to attend the conference, enabling them to network with fellow attendees in many career fields.

The conference focuses on the need for development of strong leadership skills for women. The several presenters are some of the world's most influential leaders, encouraging every conference participant to explore ideas and reach out in their communities to make a difference, day by day.

Barbara Stoker, former executive for Disney, Hallmark, Mattel and Coors will talk about new businesses and product development; Cathy Lanier, the first-ever female chief of police for the District of Columbia, will share how she established the initial Homeland Security /Counter Terrorism Branch.

And we will also be treated to presenters from the "final frontier." Mae Jemison, the nation's first woman of color to journey into space, will share her career highlights as founder and president of two technology companies, and she will be joined by Shannon Lucid, who currently holds the record for the most flight hours in orbit by any woman in the world.

We will hear about our volatile and changing financial markets from Joyce Chang, a highly respected emerging markets strategist who works with JP Morgan. Justine Mbabazi, gender expert and senior legal adviser for USAID in Afghanistan and a mentor to Afghan women lawyers, will share how she empowers women in war-torn countries.

Attendees will also meet Robin Koval of the Kaplan Thaler Group and author of the national best seller, The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness. She will affirm for the participants that nice women do not finish last.

As an educator, I am acutely aware how critically important it is to inspire leadership in young women. Even in the 21st century, there are still some who believe that women and leadership are incompatible. Presenting outstanding role models for young professional women and young students is a primary focus of the Governor's International Women's Leadership Conference.

Bequeathing goodness, education, wisdom and keys to leadership and success to the following generations, the Governor's International Women's Leadership Conference will, indeed, enable and encourage women, especially young professionals and students, to reach for the stars. Consider being a participant on Sept. 25 as the governor's conference continues to develop this important legacy for Hawai'i's women, their communities, places of work and their families.

Betty White, head of school at Sacred Hearts Academy, is serving on the planning committee for the governor's conference. She wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.