Red Hatters focus on having a good time
Organization has 40,000 chapters worldwide
CHENEY – In 1998 Sue Ellen Cooper gave a friend a vintage red hat as a fanciful birthday gift. Thus started the explosion of Red Hatters, the vast society that enables women to appreciate aging.
“Her whole thought was that getting older didn’t mean you couldn’t have fun,” says Jill Weiszman, Queen Mum of the Red Hat Cheney Peppers. “And that was the whole point of her giving the hat to her friend.”
On the Red Hat Society Web site is the club’s mission, which is, to be “a global society of women approaching the age of 50 or beyond that connects and supports women in their pursuit of Fun, Friendship, Freedom and Fulfillment.”
The idea is obviously popular. In just 10 years there are nearly 40,000 chapters, in every state and more than 30 countries. Weiszman says it’s handy to have such an affable group everywhere, so if you’re traveling you can join in the local chapter fun.
The Queen Mum usually stays Queen Mum – the one who starts and oversees the chapter and designates her Royal Court. Head of all the chapters is the Exalted Queen Mother, Sue Ellen Cooper.
With the only official rule being to wear one’s appropriate colors – red hat, purple shirt if 50 or over; pink hat, lavender shirt if under 50 (Pink Hatter), the society boasts they are a dis-organization. Weiszman, Red Hatter since 2003, enjoys her role as Queen Mum since she registered the Red Hat Cheney Peppers in 2006.
“I like having fun. I love dressing up,” smiles Weiszman. “I think the biggest benefit is keeping the chapter up and running and going, and finding fun events to go to.”
The group gathers once a month to drink tea and discuss future plans. But it’s not all about dressing up and going to tea parties. Red Hatters can be found anywhere. Weiszman and her group have gone on an eagle-watching cruise at Lake Coeur d’Alene. They go antiquing, paint ceramics, attend auctions and most recently joined the revelers at the Rockin’ B Ranch.
“I like getting together with all my friends and just having fun,” says Lynda Ford, Vice Queen of Weiszman’s Royal Court.
“I like hanging out with older ladies,” pipes up Ford’s daughter Felicia, 13.
Of course the outfit is an important part of the fun. Creativity is expressed by decorating your hat. Common items are feathers, ribbons, bows, jewelry, sequins, hatpins, flowers or anything sparkly. Boas thrown around the neck are common, too. Nonclothing Red Hat paraphernalia include mugs, plates, glasses, teapot and cups and jewelry.
Weiszman owns nine red hats and six purple shirts. She has a friend who boasts 40 red hats. On your birthday month you get to reverse your colors, so Weiszman has one purple hat. For the Pink Hatters, once they turn 50 they get to have a “reduation” ceremony.
Anyone can participate in the Red Hat events as a guest, even men. The most important objective is to have a good time.
“Going out and making a presence,” says Weiszman. “We are very noticed when we are all dressed up. We really are. And it makes people smile. And I think that’s the thing that I really love about it.”