Bravo, Red Hatters
"When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple, with a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me." (Excerpt from the poem, "Warning," by Jenny Joseph)
An amazing thing happened recently. It wasn't the kind of earth-shattering event anyone would notice really, but nonetheless amazing.
Peabody's chapter of the Red Hat Society (or Sassy Silk Hatters), became one year old Feb. 24.
Why is that so amazing you ask? Let me first explain the phenomenon for the benefit of the six people on the planet who might not know of the Red Hat Society.
A few years ago, a woman of mature years gave a dear friend who was going through a difficult time in her life, a silly red hat and invited her to lunch at the local diner. I can only imagine what the other diners must have thought to see these two women in their hats enjoying each other's company as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
It puts me in mind of the two elderly sisters on the Walton's who were famous for their "family recipe." Nonetheless, to make a long story short, the giving of a red hat became an act of kindness passed from one woman to another until wild packs of women in red hats, purple clothing, and boas started showing up everywhere.
Conservatively, I would estimate the Red Hat Society enjoys a membership nationally in excess of 50,000 women between the ages of 50 to end of life. (Women between the ages of 40 and 49 also are welcomed but are called, "Pink Hats" due to their young age.)
But why is that so amazing? First of all, don't confuse the Red Hat Society with your mother's women's club.
My job as "chapter hysterian" is to ensure that no rules are followed, no dues paid, and no bake sales undertaken. We don't consider it rude to be laughed at. Part of the joy of being a Red Hatter is bringing a smile to those around us.
A year ago everyone thought of our group as a passing fad. A year later, I can't begin to count the ways our small band has profited emotionally and spiritually from an investment in a cheap red hat and a few hours spent in the company of friends.
Widows, empty nesters, singles, and wives who just enjoy getting out of the house for a while — once little more than acquaintances — are now fast friends.
I think that is amazing. I would in closing like to say "Happy Anniversary" to Queen Mum Sharon, Judy, Bev, Donna H., Donna W., Betty, Ruth T., Ruth D., Lucy S., Lucy J., Imogene, Mary, Erma, Martha, Cora, Nancy, Karen, Alice, Fay, Gail, Shirley W., Shirley B., Beth, Sharon S., and who else? I guess that would be me.
— Dinah Richmond
