Be on the lookout for a public gathering of women wearing red hats and purple boas.  Perhaps you've seen a brooch or T shirt, all bearing the image of a red hat.  These are the trademarks of the ever-growing Red Hat Society™, an organization for women over 50.  Its purpose is to promote frivolous fun! 

Fast and firm friendship quickly develops as these ladies share common life experiences focusing, in particular, on the happy and giddy.

Inspired by Warning, a poem of joyous rebellion by Jenny Joseph, the organization was founded in the spring of 1998 by Sue Ellen Cooper, aka Exalted Queen Mother.  She formed the first chapter of the Red Hat Society™ in Fullerton, California, the Hatquarters.  Word of mouth and lots of publicity spread the news like honey dripping from a hot biscuit.  Now there are over 20,000 chapters with some 400,000 members in 20 countries around the world! 

Any group of women wanting so start a chapter or join an existing chapter in their area may do so by registering on line at the official website, RedHat.com.  The average number of members per new charter is 20.  Everyone is welcome. 

There are no bylaws, no covenants and no restrictions to follow.  There are no rules!  The only requirement is members wear red and purple.

Members plan their own activities, often taking turns hosting the meeting.  Events may include sleepovers, pool parties, movies, theater, teas, luncheons, tennis, crocheting  and sewing circles, quilting, cooking demonstrations and field trips to the local chocolate factory.  Whatever the group wants to do is allowed, so long as they wear the signature colors.

There is an annual cost of $35 to start a chapter but no dues to the members.  Individual ladies may, however, pay $18 annually as a Purple Perks member.  These receive quarterly newsletters, have full access to the website and are eligible for assorted discounts.  Women also have the option of becoming general members.  A general member does not pay dues, carries an official Red Hat Society™ card, attends all meetings, but gets no discounts and has limited website access on the official site. 

Under fifty?  Don't despair.  You may start or join your own chapter, but you are called Pink Hatters and wear pink and lavender.  The "No Rules" rule applies to you as well.   When a woman turns her back on 49 to become 50, a "Reduation" is held whereby her pink hat is left behind and replaced with a red hat.

The annual four-day Red Hatter's National Convention was begun in 2002 and 400 members attended.  Nashville hosted the bash in 2003 with 2000 members showing up.  In April 2004, the ladies hit Dallas.  The first Regional Convention was held in Kissimmee, Florida in December 2004.

I ran into Bonnie Sovereign, an Amelia Island friend of mine, lunching downtown a while back.  She and other ladies wearing red hats were waiting to be seated in a local restaurant.  Seeing her dressed inspired this article. 

Bonnie told me all about her chapter called Beach Belles, which was founded in 2001 and has about 20 members who meet monthly.  When I asked what activities the Beach Belles participate in, Bonnie said simply, "Eating!" 

I spoke with Mary Rennie, Queen Mother of Les Chapeau Rouge Ladies, another local chapter on Amelia Island.  Founded in May 2004, this group also meets monthly for lunch.

The very idea of a society of glittering, glamorous gals who love food is a better thing, as Martha Bear® says.  Happy Red Hatting, ladies!

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