Red hot ladies in red

The Red Hat Society is a social club for older women that offers fun, laughter and fellowship

June 21, 2006

By YOVANNA BIEBERICH
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

Get a group of fun-loving ladies together dressed in purple clothes and red hats who feel age is just a number, and you've got the Red Hat Society.

With 40,000 chapters internationally, the Red Hat Society was founded in 1998 by 50-somethings Sue Ellen Cooper and Linda Murphy of Fullerton. The two women started gathering with five of their friends and would dress in purple clothing and red hats in the spirit of the poem "Warning" by British author Jenny Joseph: "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me." The poem talks about how aging is a time filled with "frivolous and freeing" moments.

Since then, the society quickly grew in popularity and has chapters across the U.S. and in 30 countries. Today, Petaluma is home to several Red Hat Society Chapters.

"The chapter I belonged to was one of the first ones that started in Petaluma," said Pat Del Prete, who went on from that club to become queen of the Sterling Roses chapter in Petaluma. "I happened to see the Red Hat ladies at a function. I happened to have a husband who wouldn't stop working and I was looking for something to do. The Red Hat Society is just a bunch of ladies who want to have fun."

The Red Hat Society membership is primarily women 50 years and older. Women younger than 50 are identified as Pink Hatters and wear pink hats and lavender clothes. "There's no rules or regulations other than being dignified when you go out," sad Del Prete. "We don't do fund-raisers. The club is strictly for fun."

There are several chapters of the Red Hat Society in Petaluma, some of which center around a particular interest such as scrapbooking or tea. Activities for the various chapters include going out to lunch or dinner, holding game nights, traveling and just getting together to laugh and socialize.

"They do a lot of fun things," said Del Prete. "Our group has teamed up with Red Hot Foxes, another Petaluma chapter, and our two groups do a lot together. Two of us are going on a Halloween cruise to Mexico on the Norwegian Star. There will be a lot of Red Hat Society functions on the cruise. In August, several of us are going to a Red Hat Society convention in Arizona."

The Red Hat Society's main purpose, however, is to provide older women with a social circle of sisterhood. Some women in the club are widows while others are empty-nesters. In any case, the club provides friendship and fun.

"Everyone is so personable and nice," said Del Prete. "That's the joy of it -- to get fun loving people who want to have fun together. That's what I was looking for when I joined."

Membership is many of the clubs is limited to a certain number, but there are several clubs in Petaluma still open to new membership. There is no cost to join.

"We don't have dues," said Del Prete. "Our lodge itself has to pay dues to the main organization so we do ask for a little bit, like $10 a year."

"It's a fun chapter." added Del Prete. "I am having fun being involved with it."

(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at argus@arguscourier.com)