What is this Red Hat Society?

[DawgHouse]

My coworker is talking non-stop about how she has joined the Red Hat Society. She has to wear either a pink or purple hat (I can't remember which) because she's not 50 years old yet. Other than that, I don't know anything else about it except she's dropped a few high society type names into our conversations.

Is it some sort of sorority type thing? What does one stand to gain from becoming one of the group?

[MassLiberal]

1. it's for women over 50

supposed to be about having fun: http://www.redhatsociety.com/

I think it all started with the poem that begins, "When I am old, I will wear purple." (Maybe I'm already old, because I wear purple now!)

[Lautremont]

2. I think it's this:

I'm not totally sure.

(edited to make image a reasonable size.)

[Raven]

3. I think it's some stupid way

to get old people like me to part with their money...you buy pins and hats and stuff...I think some people form clubs... I'll stick with Maxine!!!:-)

[DawgHouse]

5. I just finished reading Phyllis Diller's autobiography

and I believe Maxine must be based on her! :hi:

[City Lights]

4. My aunt is in one. All I know is they wear red hats when they

go out for lunch once a month.

[jmowreader]

6. It's a drinking club for old women

It's about halfway between the Shrine (except you don't have to be a Mason to get in) and the John Dillinger Died For You Society, except they don't let men join.

One of the columnists in the local newspaper was writing about the Red Hat Society and all the fun they have, and lamenting that all men have to join are service organizations. So I sent him an e-mail telling him that there are two non-service organizations for men to join, but since his employer keeps complaining about the Hells Angels he'd just have to enroll in the John Dillinger Died For You Society.

[crim son]

7. I've heard it described by a woman over fifty as a bunch

of bored women with nothing better to do getting together once a month for lunch and talking about their meaningless lives, all the while wearing red hats. The red hat signals that the women are still vibrantly alive. I think it signals that they are all the same and afraid to be "themselves" unless in the company of a bunch of people dressed just like them. But what do I know? Talk to me in seven years.

[ironflange]

8. Are they all expected to use Linux?

:shrug:

[liberal hypnotist]

9. Don't get involved.

This is a clandestine group of women over 70, usually, at least here in Sarasota, Fl. They roam in packs filling restaurants and events. They have a "take no prisoners" code and they will run you down if you get in their way. Stay away if you see a group of red hats and scarfs.

[trackfan]

10. I often see them at the track or at the Huntington Library.

It just seems to be a club for older women. They always look like they're having a good time.

[hyphenate]

11. I wouldn't knock it

There are too few social groups for older women nowadays and the Red Hat Society fills the niche. I'd rather see them get out of the house more often than sitting around waiting to die. Using brain cells to engage in discussion and conversation keeps Alzheimers away, it is said, or at least keeping senility away.

You don't have to pretend to be someone else when you get over 50, and being able to meet other women in your own age group and plan functions, dinners and other events is fantastic!

A lot of the Red Hat local groups participate in charity drives, arts and craft shows, classes, crafting, and more. One group I read about formed a baby sitting club to help out some of the less affluent younger women in their community who needed to work. It's a lot of fun from what I've seen and read, and I have to smile when I see a group, because they're always smiling and looking very happy.

[newsdude]

12. As far as I can tell

From a recent police report I read, the Red Hat Society is a group of old ladies that meet once a month to get drunk and go shoplifting.