Red Hat Day takes place annually on 25 April. it was created The Red Hat Society an international society of women that connects, supports and encourages women in their pursuit of fun, friendship, freedom, fulfillment and fitness while supporting members in the quest to get the most out of life. The Red Hat Society’s primary purpose is social interaction and bonding among women and encourages a positive life outlook. The Red Hat Society was Originally founded in 1998 in the United States for women age 50 and beyond, but now open to women of all ages. It was founded After it was recognized that in the early part of their lives, most women give their all to family, career, and community, along the way, sometimes their existing bonds of friendship gradually diminish so the Red Hat Society was set up as a way to reconnect with old friends, or make new friends and rediscover the joy of getting together with other women for the express purpose of having fun.
The society also promotes periods of “recess” from the cares and duties of everyday life in which members gather for no other purpose than to play. The benefits of being a part of The Red Hat Society include interpersonal connections and emotional support systems built among Sisters (other members) both online and offline. Members of the society support one another in every life stage from all corners of the globe. RHS members are reshaping the way women are viewed in today’s culture by promoting, not only fun and friendship, but freedom from stereotypes and fulfillment of goals and dreams. The RHS sees physical fitness as the foundation on which they base healthy, rewarding lives.
RedhatIt was founded In 1997, after Sue Ellen Cooper, an artist from Fullerton, California, purchased an old red fedora for $7.50 from a thrift shop during a trip to Tucson, Arizona. When a good friend was nearing a 55th birthday, Cooper cast about for an idea for an original gift. Inspired by a well-known Jenny Joseph poem, Warning, which begins “When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple, with a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me. ” Cooper wanted to encourage her friend to grow older in a playful manner. She gave her friend a red hat of her own suggesting that she keep it as a reminder to grow older playfully and on her terms. Cooper repeated the gift and eventually several of the women bought purple outfits and held a tea party on April 25, 1998. The Red Hat Society was born.
The symbolism behind the red hat had an impact on women Cooper encountered. Those women responded by wearing their own red hats and entering a new women’s movement that embraced a renewed outlook on life filled with fun and friendship, fulfilling lifelong dreams. After spreading by word of mouth, the Society first received national publicity in the year 2000 through the magazine Romantic Homes and a feature in The Orange County Register. Cooper also established a “Hatquarters” to field the hundreds of e-mail requests for help starting chapters. She now serves as “Exalted Queen Mother”, and has written two best-selling books about the Society, “The Red Hat Society: Friendship and Fun After Fifty” published in April 2004 and “The Red Hat Society’s Laugh Lines: Stories of Inspiration and Hattitude” published in April 2005. The Red Hat Society membership increased through word of mouth, growing from two chapters in 1999 to over 70,000 members. Today, there are over 20,000 chapters in the United States and over 30 other countries.
In 2011, the RHS started a process of nominating a members to be the “Red Hatter of the year”. Nominees are made up of inspiring women who deserve recognition for the impact they have made in the lives of others. The Red Hatter of the year is the highest national recognition given to a member who shows impact, dedication, and involvement to her community and fellow members. Past winners have been:Linda Theriot, Barb Lesiak, Mary Mimbs, Marilyn Cresci and Floretta Gaines
A founder or leader of a local chapter is usually referred to as a “Queen”. Members 50 and over are called “Red Hatters” and wear red hats and purple attire to all functions. A woman under age 50 may also become a member, but she wears a pink hat and lavender attire to the Society’s events until reaching her 50th birthday. She is referred to as a “Pink Hatter.” During her birthday month (or the Society’s birthday month of April), a member might wear her colors in reverse, i.e., a purple or lavender hat and red or pink attire. Women who wish to join the society can do so by going to the Red Hat Society website to sign up as a Queen or Member. The individual can then search for chapters based on location or geography and then connect with local chapters by using tools on the society website. Any woman may join the Red Hat Society as a Queen of an individual chapter or as a supporting member of a local chapter. There are supporting members who do not belong to any local chapter, but have the ability to includes access to the RHS website, online communities, special communications, and discounts Both Red and Pink Hatters often wear very elaborately decorated hats and attention-getting fashion accessories, such as a feather boa, at the group’s get-togethers.
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