Have You Heard About Red Hatters?

Red Hat Society Day is celebrated on April 25th by official chapters worldwide.

The Red Hat Society (RHS) is an international social organization that was founded in 1998 in the United States for women age 50 and beyond, but now open to women of all ages. There are over 20,000 chapters in the United States and over 30 other countries.

Jenny Joseph wrote an awesome poem, “Warning”, which I have framed and hanging above my computer. It contains two lines, which are responsible for the first Red Hat Society being formed: “When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple. With a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me.”

The cardinal “rules”  are limited to three:

• If you are 50 or older, your function attire is a red hat and a purple outfit.
• If you are under 50, you’re allowed into the organization as a “Pink Hatter,” so designated by your pink hat and lavender outfit.
• Have as much fun as possible.

The Red Hat motto: Live, Love, Laugh.

Chapter members decide what they want to do as  group. It may be something as simple as getting together for coffee every Wednesday, helping fill boxes at a food bank, or going out to the opera in full regalia.

It is important for each member to contribute to the fun and social networking of the group.

Members are encouraged to give themselves titles, and the general rule is the goofier, the better. Individual chapter leaders can be “Queen” or “Queen Mother.” Other members’ titles run the gamut. “Vice-Mother, The Mother of All Vices” for the chapter leader’s assistant; “Mistress of Anxiety, The Patron Chapter Worrier”; “Lady Bakes-A-Lot”.