The Red Hat Society is a gathering of women of a "certain age and hattitude" whose philsophy is based on the poem "Warning" by Jenny Joseph   It speaks of an old woman who "wears purple and a red hat that doesn't go", and she does some outrageous things that "sweet little old ladies" just are not supposed to do.  Red Hatters are a fun-loving bunch of ladies, who have given themselves permission to be eccentric and outrageous.  We love to play dress up, and go to tea, and do other fun things -- in our purple outfits and red hats, of course!!  We wear our red hats and purple attire to celebrate our "coming of age." When you put on that red hat and purple outfit, you are asked to smile and talk to strangers because they are drawn to us. We don’t just walk into a place, we make an entrance and all eyes are on us.

Ladies who are under 50 years young are "Red-Hats-in-Training" (aka Pink Hatters), and wear lavender outfits with pink hats.

The Red Hat Society Statement of Purpose

"The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humor and elan. We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together. Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes us next."

Sue Ellen Cooper, Queen Mother

We are a disorganized group whose main objective is getting together to have fun and friendship.  Sometimes we are serious and sometimes we are silly, but one thing is for sure, we always take our silliness seriously.  We may eat dessert first and the salad last, but we love to eat.

There are no "rules" only "decrees" by the Queen. Why can the Queen issue decrees? Because I am the Queen and I said so.