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Maria Shriver's annual women's conference has in previous years been a star studded event, this year’s affair being no different will be held in October from the 26-27 in Long Beach, CA. Cindy McCain, Elizabeth Edwards, Katie Couric, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and actress Kelly Preston are among the featured speakers.
Shriver stated she invited Kate Gosselin, star of TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8" due to a suggestion from her teenage daughters who watch the show.
"I think her life has certainly changed dramatically, but so be it," Shriver told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "I think that's the beauty of this conference to have Madeleine Albright and Kate Gosselin at the same place."
The invitation was allegedly sent five months ago, before Jon and Kate Gosselin announced that, the parents of 5-year-old sextuplets and 8-year-old twins were getting a divorce after their ten year marriage.
Reportedly Kate Gosselin's speaking role will be quite minor. She will have 15 minutes on a small stage at a fair where she will be selling her book, "Eight Little Faces: A Mom's Journey."
Shriver described Kate Gosselin as "a real interesting girl" who is facing the challenge of raising eight children and coping with "a lost marriage."
Laurie Goldberg, a spokeswoman for the TLC show has declined to comment about Kate Gosselin's decision to attend the annual women’s forum.
Tickets for the key meeting range from $125 to $200 and go on sale July 13, 2009
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Maria Shriver: Interview last year's confrence 2008
Sources: AP News, californiawomen.org
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