SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - From the country’s first woman secretary of state, to up-and-coming “millennial generation” entrepreneurs, San Francisco will play host to thousands of California businesswomen this week, when two major conferences convene to recognize female achievement.

On Tuesday, the Professional Business Women of California will hold the 19th annual San Francisco conference at Moscone Center. Featuring former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and journalist Cokie Roberts as its keynote speakers, the event is expected to draw some 5,000 California businesswomen, said Jan Barlow, the organization’s president.

Three days later, the San Francisco chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners will host the 24th annual version of its awards luncheon at the Westin St. Francis. San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris will act as keynote speaker for the event, which promoters say will recognize area women that are “rising stars” and “trailblazers” in the business field.

The Professional Business Women of California was founded nearly two decades ago by Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, and has grown to a network that is now 22,000 members strong.

The organization’s Tuesday event, titled “Across the Generations,” will focus on strengthening relationships between women of all ages, Barlow said, noting that women from four different generations — categorized as veterans, baby boomers, Gen X and millennial — are all participating in the work force.

“We want to realize the similarities in the age gaps and appreciate the differences,” said Barlow. “It’s so important for everyone to understand why they are different. Once we’ve established that we can move toward a constructive relationship.

The National Association of Women Business Owners event Friday is expected to draw approximately 400 attendees, including Cindy Fassler, who will be honored as the 2008 NAWBO member of the year. Fassler is the founder of Total Support Services Personnel Agency, a job-placement business that she started 26 years ago in San Francisco.

Both Barlow and Fassler acknowledge that it’s not a coincidence that San Francisco is the site of choice for two separate events recognizing businesswomen.

“I moved here from New York three years ago,” Barlow said. “I’m just amazed at how good women in the Bay Area are at networking. They seem predisposed to it here, and that goes a long way in building these essential business relationships.”

wreisman@examiner.com