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Meryl Streep poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film Suffragette, which is also the opening gala of the London film festival in London, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015. Image Credit: AP

Gloria Steinem, Meryl Streep, Viola Davis and others are headlining a sold-out women’s conference in Boston.

Steinem, a feminist icon, and the Academy Award-winning actresses are scheduled to participate in the 13th annual Massachusetts Conference for Women.

It opens on Thursday at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center against a backdrop of expanding allegations of sexual misconduct against prominent men in Hollywood, politics and the media.

Other participants include designer, philanthropist and author Diane von Furstenberg; Skinnygirl founder Bethenny Frankel; and Barbara Lynch, an acclaimed restaurateur and award-winning chef.

Organisers say 10,000 people are expected to attend the conference, which will be devoted to themes of leadership, networking, inspiration, professional development and personal growth.