Hillary Rodham Clinton will headline her own night at the Democratic National Convention, Barack Obama's campaign announced yesterday in a nod to her strong second-place showing in the party's presidential primary.

The former first lady will speak on the second night, Aug. 26 — the 88th anniversary of the women's right to vote. The campaign and convention committee, in a statement, called her "a champion for working families and one of the most effective and empathetic voices in the country today."

The Obama campaign is trying to avoid hard feelings among Clinton's supporters at their carefully orchestrated convention. But they still haven't reached a deal on whether Clinton will be included in the roll call vote for the nomination, which could make the party appear divided heading into the final stretch of the White House race.

The campaign said Obama's wife, Michelle, is slated to headline the opening night on Aug. 25. The high-profile appearance at the kickoff is a chance for the potential first lady, who has been attacked by GOP critics, to speak directly to voters. She also can help explain her husband to voters in the most personal terms.

The yet-to-be-named vice presidential pick will speak on the third night, as is the tradition. Obama campaign manager David Plouffe tried to build excitement about the impending pick in an e-mail to supporters last night, encouraging them to send their e-mail and phone numbers to "be the first to know."

Democratic officials say Bill Clinton also is scheduled to speak on the same night as the running mate. But only the headliners were listed in Sunday's official announcement.

The former president plans to be in the audience to watch his wife's speech. Democratic officials say she has not decided who will introduce her, but one option is her daughter, Chelsea.

One Clinton adviser said she wants to deliver a "forward-looking" speech that pays homage to the historic nature of the primary between a black candidate and a woman candidate without dwelling on the divisions.

John Edwards, the 2004 vice presidential nominee who finished a distant third in the primary, was left off the speakers list as he grapples with revelations of his affair with a woman hired to produce campaign videos.

Obama is to become the party's first black presidential nominee on the fourth and final night.