Gifts For Red Hatters

Adding color to life

Mature gals who wanna have fun can wear red and purple to lunch and other activities whenever they join Red Hat Society groups. This month, the international organization, which has 40,000 chapters worldwide, will be celebrating its 13th birthday April 25 in Washington, D.C.

Red hats and purple outfits - originating from the poem "Warning" by Jenny Joseph - have become symbolic of older women, over 50, who want to trade myths of aging for fun and friendship with their peers.

The Red Hat Society concept started 13 years ago when Sue Ellen Cooper, of California, gave a copy of the poem and a red hat to a friend for her birthday. Because the idea was a success, Cooper gave the same gift to several others. Ultimately, a group was formed, leading to a wave of chapters sharing the society's mission of fun, friendship, freedom, fulfillment and fitness.

"All we do is have fun," said Elizabeth Heagy, who started R&R Hatters five years ago, when members of her congregation, at Church of the Ascension in Westminster, expressed an interest in forming a Red Hat Society group.

"We couldn't decide whether to name our group ‘Regal and Red' or ‘Royal and Red,' so we settled on the name, ‘R&R,"' Heagy said.

Having moved from Lanham, she was already a member of a chapter from that area. Still, she answered the need locally, forming a new one in her church with 17 women. Presently, 25 members, ages 48 to 78, are on the roster and Heagy has joined a third group of Red Hatters, in Delaware, consisting of other leaders.

Designations for the head of each group can include "Queen," "Queen Mom," or whatever title is chosen among the women.

Each chapter also has its own criteria for projects, dues and goals.

Women younger than 50, known as Pink Hatters, have joined the Red Hatters, but wear pink and lavender.

As "Queen Mom" of R&R Hatters, Heagy oversees the planning of activities - all social - which have included teas, plays at McDaniel College and lunches at local restaurants.

"I don't wear a crown and I don't expect people to bow," laughed Heagy, who has maintained her membership with the Lanham chapter for 10 years. With all three groups, it's still the same goal. "We're just women having fun with women," she said.

Another local group, in the Sunnybrook Senior Apartments in Westminster, was formed four years ago by Queen Gloria Hogarty. The resident of the apartment complex thought it would be fun to socialize with her neighbors and started the Sunnybrook Red Hatters. Ranging in age from 69 to their late 80s, the women plan several community projects such as assembling items for troops in Iraq and gathering coats for the needy.

Pink Poodle birthday Supplies For a Girl's birthday celebration ...

Whether you want refreshment supplies, decorations, or party gifts, this line has it all. Start your party supply gathering off by picking a themed Birthday Luxury Party Pack.

Topped by a black and white striped shirt, you'll be the hostess with the mostest. Greet the guests with a themed customized birthday banner. Available in one or two sizes, each size will be lots large enough for everybody to see. The five purple Eiffel Tower forms the center-piece of a stellar design. But the 3 0.5 Pink Poodle looking on admiringly with one paw raised is the best complement. These are some of the activities these ladies made a decision to do in the past one or two years. Click link if you need info all about maltese . They had tons of collusion from Red Hat sisters, and actually had visitors from Indiana. These women decided to mark the Red Hat Society Day by crossing the Sundial Bridge in Redding, California. One girl, Delores Barton, made a decision to keep her Red Hat sisters concerned in her holiday plans. St Louis, Missouri Red Hatters decided a luncheon was in order. They went to the St The chatter Red Hatters, from Mount Cootha, Australia, made a decision to take the inventive route with their event. They travelled to the Studio of Modern Art in Brisbane, Australia. Their favourite art work being demonstrated, naturally, were all of the red, dramatic pieces. Be certain to select some brilliant themed Removable Wall Decorations, too. With 4 coloured crayons the children can draw pictures of their dream holiday in Paris.

From children to red hatters, diverse images and issues of play

The Red Hat Society, fun and friendship after fifty

The Red Hat Society's laugh lines, stories of inspiration and hattitude

Buying in, the secret dialogue between what we buy and who we are

The SAGE Handbook of Social Gerontology