​

​​​

 

​

​

(In the words of founder Sue Ellen Cooper.)

​

When my dear friend Linda Murphy, was nearing her "fifty-ish" birthday she began to joke about getting old. Whilst neither of us thought "fifty-ish" as old, we were both aware of society's perceptions about age and women. With these thoughts in mind, I set out to find Linda the perfect birhday gift, one that would do her imaginative spirit justice. I searched through heaps of trinket gifts and piles of knick knacks, but nothing seemed right. At this point I remembered a poem, titled  'Warning' by Jenny Joseph. I recalled its refreshing (liberating!) attitude towards aging. I found a copy of the poem, paired it with a vintage red hat and presented the gift to Linda. She loved it's playfull reminder not to take aging too seriously. Soon similar birthday gifts were given to all my closest friends and it was decided we would all venture out in our red hats and purple dresses.

​On that day, 25th April 1998, something magical happened. Whether it was the allure of playing dress up or the transforming effect of our regalia, the tea was a smashing success. Deciding to make our get-togethers a regular tradition, we dubbed ourselves "The Red Hat Society" then and there. Royal titles were bestowed upon all (Linda and I taking the titles Esteemed Vice Mother and Exalted Queen Mother respectively).  The rest is history..........

​

​​