Velociworld

Christ, if it's not one lamebrained idea, it's another. Too bad Morgan Freeman didn't star in "Piledriving Miss Daisy".

Whatchoo talkin' bout, Willis?!?! Who's half crazy?!?!

I get the distinct feeling I'm included in the category to which you refer, sir. I resemble that remark!

It's a defense mechanism, Kelley, because Southern men are totally insane.

They weren't allowed to wear purple and red when they were younger? I don't get it.

I am no misanthrope. I am a MISCREANT!

boobs are good. everyone likes boobs

I am a red hatter. I am retired and volunteer whenever and wherever there is a need for me. Most people (including women) do the same. I have worked as an volunteer secretary for a police department, learned skills to help with HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, sewn costumes for a children's theater group, escorted people to Dr. appointments and hospitals, staying with them for surgery and recuperation when they had no family to do so. I have trained and peer counseled people for CIS (critical incident stress) as I was an Oklahoma City Police Officer on duty during the bombing here. I have chaired for the United States Postal Service civilian coordination, Senior Citizen's for aging, Women in Law Enforcement. I train for ISAFE (to keep children safe on the internet). I have been a girl scout leader and a den mother. I have organized letters to Santa Claus so that children who would not otherwise have anything for Christmas can be helped by people with charity in their hearts.

You are obviously not old enough to remember that the women of my age were not allowed to purchase a house or own a credit card without the signature of a male (even an unemployed one) to co-sign for us. We are. It was hard work to live and support ones self and children during that time. We did it.

We are now beginning to enjoy the fruits of that very hard labor. If we want to do something that you consider a bit out of the ordinary, and we harm no-one......you may keep your opinions out of our faces, as we paved the way for women of today to be able to do the things we could not at their age.

We continue to give back to society, and to show how proud we are of what we have accomplished and contiue to accomplish, WE WEAR RED HATS!

Whew! Well, only 4 years to go and I can join... ;)

I am not a member of the Red Hatters, however, some of my closest friends are and I would just like to say to Kim Crawford that you obviously have entirely too much time on your hands that you can find fault with this organization! They do NOTHING to harm anyone or anything. It is simply older women who have given themselves permission to get together for fellowship and a little bit of fun at NO ONES expense but their own!!! How on earth does that affect you in any way, except to give you a forum to voice your opinion, which by the way, their generation gave you the RIGHT to be able to do that. You should rejoice in the fact that you are a woman and may someday be LUCKY enough to be allowed to participate in one of these groups of strong, wonderful women!!!

Well, when I am fifty, I shall start my own organization, the Red Thong Men. Of course, I can never be a member, but I can certainly make sure the candidates measure up.

They must be between the ages of 21 and 60, built like brick sh*thouses, and endowed like Man 0 War. And if the thong is a put-off, well, a 'nanner sling will do just fine. As long as it's red.

I'll be taking applications for future consideration at the Jawja Blogfest, so be ready.

If we want to do something that you consider a bit out of the ordinary...

Nope. The problem with the Redhatters is that youse guys are pretending to do something out of the ordinary, and have rendered it totally ordinary in the process.

As long as we are appointing ourselves judges of what is ordinary and what is not, I judge you to be a complete horse's ass of the most ordinary sort. Youse are welcome.

My Hat's off to 'HOLD IT RIGHT THERE', yes my red hat. What a legacy.
I am sorry for Kim Crawford, she is probably old enough to be a Red Hatter, but feels that she can't contribute anything so therefore her defence is to lash out at the brave ones.
Or she just plain ignorant, either one is sad.

For the rest of you...you...no-bodies, get a life or you will not get old enough to be a Red Hatter.

For the rest of you...you...no-bodies, get a life or you will not get old enough to be a Red Hatter.

i have a red hat, it is the knob of my penis. wear that on ur head.

That tiny little thing wouldn't fit on the head of a pin.

I am 63 and still kickin' ass. I work fulltime;having raised my children; have a wonderful, supportive husband who encourages me to have fun with my red hatters. Too bad you don't understand what it's all about. I hope that you GET a full and active life thereby eliminating the time you must have on your hands to make such asinine comments.

My husband plays poker, not for me... My son plays guitar, not for me... My husband also plays rotisserie baseball, not for me... My husband goes to Monday nite football, not for me... They love these fun times, but alas, I prefer RED HATS, PURPLE CLOTHES, AND TEA PARTIES!!! I also love sex, my husband, my kids, etc.etc. etc. I DO have a busy life, TEA PARTIES are called FUN!!! I have it ALL!

I just want you to know that I attended my first Red Hat gathering today and had a marvelous time! And I am not 50 yet, I am a "junior" member so I wear a pink hat and lavender outfit. Shame on you who are narrow-minded and have nothing better to do than put down other people's interests. "Hats off" to all Red (and Pink) Hatters out there!!! You Go Girls!!!!!

I just found out that my wife is involved. Hooray for her!! I'm glad she is involved in something that she enjoys. She has been wonderful about allowing me my way of handling the need to be "with the boys" (I play in several musical groups). I don't care if they wear green bandanas and chartreuse trench coats, if my wife wants to be involved, I will support her completely.

If you are only 31 going on 32 what kind of clubs are out there for us? I cant wait that long to become a Red Hatter. Please help someone!! I love tea-parties. :0)

My wife is a pink hatter, and I think the whole thing is ridiculous. Would you want your husband out in public looking like an idiot? Ok, so the older generations that "paved the way" for today's women might deserve a break because I'm sure life was difficult before women had equal rights, but what about our generation? You want a sense of belonging? You belong home with your husband and kids after working all day. (keep in mind this is from a stay at home dad whose wife works full time)

Your all Sick puppies-RED Koo-Koo's!

Well, you know the chapter we have down here in Hell has a lot of lovely people involved right now.

Lucretia Borgia has taken over catering for our weekly teas, and we can always count on her to provide something exciting for us to try.

Mahta Hari is the new editor of the newsletter, and is looking for submissions.

The annual Arts and Crafts fair will add a booth for ordering frozen meats this year and a dunk tank. Lizzie Borden will be chairing that committee.

Yes, the Hell chapter of the Red Hat Ladies is active and fun. As soon as you have the opportunity, please look us up. Your current membership will transfer easily.

What a bunch of narrow-minded fools there are in this world. I am proud to be a member of the Red Hat Society. I have raise 4 great kids to responsible adults. I have worked any number of jobs to support those kids, and done what ever I had to do to see that they were taken care of. During the time I was doing this, I had very little time for making friends of my own. I found myself recently with the kids all grown and out of the house, and I finally had time to have friends and go out and have fun.

Yes, we wear our red hats proudly with our purple outfits. How unfortunate that some of you resent us this little bit of fun. Perhaps you think we look ridiculous, but I can guarantee you, we look like socialites compared to the idiots you can see at any sporting event with painted faces, multicolored clown wigs, and disgusting beer bellies bared to the world. The sad things is that is not only acceptable to the male-dominated world, obviously tv cameramen seem to think that we want to see these drunken, obnoxious beasts on our television screens. Perhaps we wear red hats, but we do not encourage each other to become drunk out of our minds and bare areas of our bodies that no one wants to see.

Sounds to me that the men that resent the Red Hat Society, only resent it because they fear strong self-confident women that do not need a male presence to make them feel like a valuable human being. Get over yourselves, or crawl back into your caves.

Do you kook's think your all owed something. Even if you don't want to admit it, women when designed with the bodies to bear children. It is a women's destiney to bear and raise children, now you all think you wasted your time doing such a task. I hope your children and grandchildren don't feel your life was a such a loss and now you have to make up lost time. No wonder there are so many messed up adult children out there! SHAME ON YOU SELFISH WOMEN!!

Ann, a strong self confident woman wouldn't need to join an organization to feel like a valuable human being either. And it's certainly no longer a male dominated world. I'm at home raising my 3 daughters while my wife works full time and I'm working nights to help make ends meet. I've put having a "real" career on hold for the past 7 years. If you have absolutely nothing better to do, then by all means grab your hat, get out there and join the thousands of other people dressed just like you and be an individual.

Doesn't anyone else find it hilarious that these women so determined to have fun and not be exploited choose a for-profit merchandising scam as their crusade? Fun's great, I love fun, and Queen Mother Sue Ellen Cooper's one smart merchant, but I'll take my fun someplace where I'm not expected to wear a uniform, pay dues or buy junk.
The laugh's on you, ladies.
BTW—the Red Hat site says they can't print Jenny Joseph's poem, only sell it, but it's online, free, at
http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/00/10/angel.html

You're welcome.

:-) :-) :-)

Mike,

It seems as though you really resent being a stay at home dad. Sorry.

For years men have been going out to bars and hanging out with the guys. Few seemed to care. Now a few women go out to have fun with the ladies and it is outragious. Please. They are laughing at life and having a good time. Chill out.

The bottom line is, your wife will likely outlive you, and the friends she makes now may be the ones who help her through the loses of her life. Think outside of yourself.

Go RHS!

I just want to make a comment to everyone saying negative things about the Red Hat Society.
I think that Red Hat's are a great idea. No I'm not old enough to be in it myself, but I do love going out and seeing all those women dressed up. It's great, and I think that they should keep doing it as long as they are having fun. The people that say bad things about them are just jealous that they didn't think of an organization that had such success as Red Hat's did. These women don't go out and tell stories of how hard their life was, they are just going out and enjoying what life has in store. Unless they rob a bank, shoot someone, or rape a child, they aren't harming anyone.
I am only 20 years old, and as soon as I am old enough, I will wear my pink hat everywere I can and be around the women of my chapter as much as possible. This organization does great things, but the most important thing they do is make people feel good about themselves. If you can't be happy in life, then life can't be happy for you. The red hats are adorable, and these women can wear whatever they want to wherever they want and drink as much tea as they can. You should be proud of these women because they represent everything that is pure and fun, and no one, and no amount of slander, will stop them.
The women of the Red Hat Society are wonderful and amazing people that do wonderful and amazing things. They don't want to harm you, and they aren't going to strap you to a chair and make you drink tea and wear a red hat. They just want to have fun in the company of their friends, and enjoy all that life has to bring them.
So my hat goes out to all the Red Hatters! Keep doing what your doing because you are all strong and beautiful woman, and I hope that you get all out of life what you can. Live life to the fullest and enjoy your purple ensambles and red hats. You are all adding a color to the world that makes even a women less than ½ your age happy for what you are doing.

I am 23 and my mom is 56 and we just recently started to try and find the Okalhoma City chapter of the Red Hat Society. If anyone knows any information plesae let me know.

Ran across this by accident in a search and had to comment: "Just don't parade around like a gaggle of Blanche DuBoises on Muscatel"

If you are referring to the Golden Girls it is
Blanche Devareau, not DuBoise.
What is up your craw about the RHS and some women having fun? Jealous because it is not you? Many of these women DO what you suggested and then some so get a life of your own. They are not hurting anyone.

Hi Sophie, I saw Sue Ellen on the cover of Costco and I am feeling used by Sue Ellen at
this time also. Some ladies don't mind paying
to for tricketts but her profiting off a 72 y/o
womans poem does bug me. What will I do? I will
ensure that women I meet will know that one does NOT need buy RHS things, they can make their own if they like, they do not have to pay dues to open a chapter of be in a club, and if Sue Ellen one days decides she will copyright the name they can just hang out with other ladies like they used to in the olden days and call it a Ladies
Club ! Thanks for the link for the poem btw. I wonder if that author can sue Sue Ellen for part of the profits since Sue Ellen plagerized her work? ;)

Dee

Sophie: Doesn't anyone else find it hilarious that these women so determined to have fun and not be exploited choose a for-profit merchandising scam as their crusade? Fun's great, I love fun, and Queen Mother Sue Ellen Cooper's one smart merchant, but I'll take my fun someplace where I'm not expected to wear a uniform, pay dues or buy junk.
The laugh's on you, ladies.
BTW—the Red Hat site says they can't print Jenny Joseph's poem, only sell it, but it's online, free, at
http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/00/10/angel.html

Male-dominated world? When'd that happen? I don't believe it for a minute.

Well ladies, whatever it takes to keep y'all off the streets.

What some of the ones out there making these comments don't know is that a lot of us have more education than most of them, and we held more stressful jobs than some of the idiots could get. I worked, kept house, reared my children and did what was needed to give them a great life. Then it came time for me to retire and suddently all of the friends I had made were either dying or moving into retirement communities. Well I am not ready for the rocking chair or a shovel .

My husband and I are active in Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, and every other activity in our town. I sew and volunteer for other organizations. I also need play time where I have friends and can enjoy the life I worked hard to build. For me it is a Red Hat and I wear it very proudly. It is a time I don't spend remembering the bodies I cleaned up, the gun shot victims I saw , the rapes of small children and women. The destruction of families by drugs and alcohol. So all of you idiots out there get something to do. I for one could fill a 30 hour day but I am still going to have my time in the sun and if it is with a red hat on so be it. You can all think and say what you want but until you have walked in some of our shoes then just keep your mouths shut and go out and find volunteer work to do if you have so much free time on your hands. I have been there and done that and my family stands behind me and encourages this outlet for me. In fact my husband found the red hat society group for me to join. Stop, think and consider before you open your mouth and over load your backsides.

Gish, I'm sorry but you do not look or act like an educated women in a red hat and purple outfit. The attire reflects "No Class". When you dress and act with an attitude you are the ignorant one!

It is certainly is a free country and those women who choose to join the Red Hat Society and seek to belong by dressing alike are absolutely free to do so, they are hurting no one and appear to be, from the responses illicited here, enjoying themselves; that said, as a 52 year old woman, in asserting my own personal freedom, I don't care to join the Red Hat Club because I just wouldn't fit in I'm afraid, I'd ruin their parties by just HAVING to assert my own personal style by insisting on wearing my safari pith helmet or my Mexican sombrero and I would just stick out like the unique individual that I am in that sea of red. The only thing I have to say that I find bothersome is I have been wearing purple (my favorite color from which I received my nickname Purple Haze) and red hats since I was in my twenties and had to retire my beautiful red hats because they could no longer be deemed eccentric classy fun since folks just thought I was part of the crowd.

Oh and just FYI, Dee, Kim Crawford was refering to Blanche Du Bois in a "Streetcar Named Desire" not the Blanche from "Golden Girls."

I don't resent being a stay at home dad at all, what bothers me about the organization is they come off like everyone owes them for some great sacrafice they made by raising their kids etc. I'm raising my kids, I'm doing housework, I'm carting them to and from school and making sure their homework is done right. I'm teaching my girls discipline, and manners, and how to think for themselves and be strong individuals. And once they're out of the house and on their own, I'm going to look at them with pride, knowing that it was worth it 100% with no regrets. No one is going "owe" me for doing it, I'm not going to feel relieved, like I've finally fulfilled my duty, and now at long last I can enjoy life. Screw that, I'm enjoying life NOW.

It may be harmless fun, but it's what it represents that is offensive to me. You might as well strap a billboard to your head that says "I was a mom for 18 years and all I got was this lousy red hat"

The Red Hats are a perplexing group indeed. After all the work we've done over the past 40 years to see to it the female gender is actually considered intelligent, they want to tear it apart with the publication of a couple of rediculous books! At this very moment, I'm standing in front of a large Red Hat gathering - 400 plus - on my laptop with a wireless connection. Keep in mind I am a female and I too will be turning fifty this year. Do you think for one moment any of them have a clue of how to hook up a wireless network?! Most likely not. Too busy bitching about their menopause symptoms. Every last one of them are over weight, along with that, they are cackeling like a bunch of old hens. This is an absolute disgrace to our gender. May God strike me down the very moment I put on a purple dress and red hat. We've had many historical female figures fight for our independence. This gathering is a portrait of silly old women with nothing better to do. We deserve more, it's really quite scarey.

Erika, O My God, I couldn't have said it any better. I'm 43 and also embarassed by these women. The mentality of these women are just unbelievable! So many of our great women leaders and scientist etc. started to do worthy accomlishments in their 50's. My mother-in-law is one of these selfish women. If my own mother was to wear purple boa's, red hats, etc.(where are the fashion police when you need them?) I would be ashamed. Like you said women have suffered and worked so hard to get RESPECT and this organization is tearing down and destroying it all. They are falling right into the sterotype men have cast us as. Ninny, No-Brains, Not as intelligent as they are, PMS B***H's,menopausal loonies. I hope if any of these women are married, their husbands leave them and go find a real woman who if dignified, intellegent, classy and someone he and his children can be proud of!

I've been a Pink Hatter in the Red Hat Society for three years. I found it to be a great way to make friends in my new community. No, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but who are you to judge what anyone does at any age?

Many of us are also volunteers and hold down full time jobs...this is just for fun, and I find that a sense of "fun" is what is missing in the lives of many overworked (and underpaid) people today.

So what if someone wants to join the Red Hat Society? Is it any worse than joining any other group? I think calling us pathetic only shows just how pathetic YOU are for being so judgmental and rude!

Erika and Marea - good GRIEF, could you be bigger drama queens?! So let me get this straight ... you're saying that ALL the progress women have made in the last half century is being destroyed because a bunch of older women want to dress in purple and wear red hats?? I suppose neither of you has *ever* acted the fool when out with your friends, right? Please. So maybe they dress loud. Let's call the Pentagon! We need an airstrike!! That you even have time to sit there and crab about something as insignificant as this tells me that you have far too much free time on your hands. Perhaps instead of worrying about how other people should act, you should mind your own business. Unless the Red Hats are storming into your living room every Friday for tea and crumpets, then they aren't bothering you. And please rest assured, there are no plans to revoke women's sufferage because of the Red Hats.

Walk outside and look up. The sky isn't falling.

I win!

Hey Mr.Cool Uptown Bob,
What did ya win - An OLD wrinkled broad in a Red Hat? What a goober!

I have to say that at first I thought it was a silly group of women and didn't understand what they were proving...then I got older and settled. My mother is a red hatter and I'm a pink hatter......

This group has given my mother the support and comfort of having friends during a time in her life that she really needs it. As for them being stupid...I don't think so...

Get a grip and put your time to better use than to make a website totally devoted to bashing the RHS....??????

Lady Cascadia, I completely agree with you! We could all just be violent and carry guns and wear purple and pink hats with boa's strung around our necks! LOL...sorry some people are just silly!

I set here a 55-year-old single Mother, working on my bachelor degree, last class, in the spare time that I have from my job that runs on an average of 10 to 11-hour days. I do volunteer work but give more money than time, as time is in short supply. My only son is a sophomore in college and I am very proud of him. I have raised him, bought two houses on my own, have three cars in the driveway, one new one and two old ones, and done it all with no help from anyone. If I want to dress up in purple and wear a red hat and be silly with my friends how can any one say I am hurting the women of today. People who have comment on this forget we women are the ones who started the women’s movement. We support it everyday while we work in management or waiting on customers in a shopping line. Women of my age group have worked hard at home as Mothers and as bosses and we now want to have fun. . If anyone bothered to ask you would find out that a lot of the Red Hatters are businesswomen like myself who just want to get away from it all and just have fun. Oh by the way Erica and Marea I do know how to spell computer.

See this URL?

opps mistyped it :P

I went to the Purple Helmet Society web page (www.purplehelmetsociety.com)
Looks pretty funny to me. I'm even thinking about joining. Any thoughts?

Arthur

It is of no concern to me if women want to get together, dress up and socialize. However, as I have always told my children, if you are bold enough to dress up/down, color/shave your hair, pierce/tatoo you body, or just wear a silly hat you should expect others to question it and at times even make fun it. Your actions are the reason people are paying attention to you, whether that attention be good or bad, you need to live it and not lash out when others take notice.

It is of no concern to me if women want to get together, dress up and socialize. However, as I have always told my children, if you are bold enough to dress up/down, color/shave your hair, pierce/tatoo you body, or just wear a silly hat you should expect others to question it and at times even make fun it. Your actions are the reason people are paying attention to you, whether that attention be good or bad, you need to live it and not lash out when others take notice.

Wow. I was just reading the posts from the woman who started this string. It blows my mind to think that someone could be so rude, cold and insulting to others. The Red Hatters aren't hurting anyone, are they? No. They aren't imposing themselves onto this woman's life or somehow forcing themselves on her are they? No. They're doing nothing more harmful than going out and having fun. I can't imagine anything more perfect, more beautiful, and more respectful than people doing nothing more than enjoying the company of others without expectation or demands put on those around them.
LEAVE THESE WOMEN ALONE AND LET THEM HAVE THEIR FUN!! They deserve it!!!
R~

I attended a small town parade in Wisconsin this past weekend. A chapter of the Red Hat Society from this town had a float in the parade. They were the ONLY group NOT to throw candy out to the spectators and children. These old broads are so dam cheap and selfish! I would have loved to put some buckshot right in their stupid looking red hats. I mean they looked and acted like complete and utter idiots.(they were all really fat too) Where were the fashion police when you need them! I hope they CHOKE on the candy they saved for themselved!!!

So what if they want to have fun...they have raised a family, been volunteers..done things this rotten gerneration will never lift a finger to do ....And if putting on a pretty red hat and a feather boa back off.......cant be any worse than these dumb teenagers paying 50 bucks and up for a pair of jeans that my mother wouldnt let me wear in public...because they belonged in the rag bag....Or what about wearing my pants so big..my underwear shows if I dont hold them uo when I walk....or these girls who have jelly rolls and shorty tops...poke out my eyes.....
I cant wait till I am 50 and you will kow me....I will have the biggest red hat!!!!!!!1

We live in a world full color and beauty. These people are adding to it. They harm no one.

To call them selfish, because they spend an hour or two a month in the company of others who find the same interests entertaining, is to also call anyone who pursues any individual interest selfish. What about the person who stops at the bar multiple times a week after work to unwind for an hour before heading home? What about the sports fan who buys season tickets? What about the person who joins a fraternal or sorority organization? What about the family member who after supper sits in front of the the television or the computer for an hour or two and everyone knows that is "do not disturb time" because he or she is relaxing after work? What about the kids playing video games after homework and chores? What about hiring a babysitter for a parents' night out? These are common, everyday occurrences, some even recommended by experts as a resolve to stress, yet no one labels them "selfish".

If an individual finds himself or herself disgraced by harmless humour of people with whom he or she has no association, that makes no sense. It remains apparent that he or she is highly concerned with the perceptions of total strangers. Life has larger issues. And to claim that this group may not possess a similar degree of a corresponding type of knowledge as another, implying stupidity from the same, is not only narrow and inconsiderate, but purely ludicrous, and fallacious, having no contact with them and therefore no proof. Why, it is each persons' individual skills that, in part, make him or her so very unique, a quality which we prize covetously in our society, and it is the combination that keeps human advancement pushing forward. If everyone were only an artist, we would have no medicine nor space vehicles. Similarly, if everyone was only an engineer or a scientist, we would have no music nor literature.

We can pick up the newspapers every day and see that we live also in a world filled with violence and desperation. Despots remain in the earth who starve and abuse their people, greed destroys lives and degrades humanity in any nation, children murder children. Suffering goes on every minute of every day in various forms.

We all need one another. So if some be more flamboyant than others in seeking laughter and joy, what is that compared to the needs of the world?

The Red Hat Society includes women of all ages. Some are as young as 20 and perhaps some younger. Those who are younger than 50 are often called "Pink Hatters". The Pink Hatters tend to wear a Pink Hat with some shade of lavender in their clothing to the meetings. I have been told that there is also completely seperate group called The Pink Hat Society which has no affiliation with The Red Hat Society.

The official website is http://www.redhatsociety.com. At the very bottom of the page where one usually finds the webmaster link is a search link that will enable a chapter search by city. A person has the option of starting her own chapter, plus there is an internet chapter, for those who cannot find one in the area and do not wish to start one.

Oh, and, just for the record, GO PURPLE HELMETS, TOO!

Well, the circle might as well be complete :) While we are on the subject, I don't see any negative comments about men's groups.

I looked on the RHS website and the FAQ page says that they are not a not-for-profit organization, and shows the types of expenses that are covered by the fees, which are very small.

I have just formed a Red Hat Club without joining the American Soc.which is a profit making group intent on selling all kinds of tat etc,which is quite unnecessary.We just want to go out and enjoy our retirement so I was shocked at some of the vicious comments I have just read.Lots made me laugh and I could see why others get so uptight but why take it so seriously. By the way I have just set a wifi system and a network. We are not all thick!

An 'up' vanished off my message which spoilt what I was saying so just fit it in where you think it needs to go. Please don't be predictable! It is not followed by 'yours'.

I think you should all go to your rooms.

I am Vice Queen of a Red Hat Group here in Manassas, VA. We have a great time, enjoy each others company, listen and sympathize with each others problems. Go out for Tea, raise money for needy organizations and just have fun. Yes we wear silly hats and purple clothes. We don't harm or bother anyone. Just because YOU think it is a stupid idea, doesn't mean you are right. Don't rag on something you don't understand. Get a life.

If you want to see people in silly clothes, take a look at your high school photo album. Life is short, have fun.

If I hear the words silly or sassy again it will be too soon. Red Hats largely are fat, white, and without anything better to do. If you want somethign to do start by getting of the couch.

I belive that all women and men have the right to voice their oponions and desires. These Ladies of the Red Hat Society, are only having fun and being "Girls"!! Girls of all ages love to dress up and be silly. At an older age, women become more dignafied and they voice their desires, needs, and wants much more loudly then the younger girls. That does not make them wrong, nor obnoxious. Just silly, and HAPPY! Some people cant handle watching other people be happy, and having fun. What does anyone else care if another person looks a little funny in "loud" colors, or feathers and lace? I guess it is hard for some to understand or accpect that people of all ages, and stages of life like to have fun. They don't want to accpect that not everyone wants to sit on a kitchen stool just waiting for someone to ask them to do something. That women who are happy, enjoy getting toghter with others and being friends. Maybe one day I might become a Red Hat Lady,..but untill then, I take care of my home, support my husband, and raise my son, and be happy with who and where I am!!! Drink some tea for me Ladies, and know that one day I am heading your way!!! (I still have a few years to go)

If I've made a correct eisegesis of Jenny Joseph's
poem,the idea that inspired the Red Hat Society is
that you are never too old to be cheerful or adventurous.

You can enjoy bright colors and outre' garments,
good food and fellowship and all the little pleasures of life even after you reach a certain age.

When you are considered past the point of having
good judgement,it is easy and palatable to society
to appear frivoulous on occasion.

Unfortunately,a lifetime of unselfish,rational
behaviour can (if not kept in moderation) allow
the ability to have fun to atrophy.

It's as important to keep childlike wonder in the soul as it is to keep calcium in your bones and elasticity in your joints.

Giving yourself permission to be silly on occasion
helps restore that bliss or preserve it before
it's gone.

That's why Ms. Joseph suggests that we try kicking
over the traces a bit while we're young so it won't come quite as much of a shock to our systems-or anyone else's.

The 'disorganization' uses the dress code and
meetings to remind its members to set aside time
for this part of our lives.

Do we need to wear this stuff to be whimsical?

Not any more than we need skirted suits at work,
sweats at the gym,a dress when we gather to worship or a gown to sleep in.

Seeing that apparel hanging in our closet tells us
that those activities are part of who we are and
what we do.

Donning the outfits tells us that now is the time
to celebrate those aspects of ourselves.

It's not that we're too flighty to be constructive
contributors to the world around us or that we
begrudge the compassionate and responsible conduct
of our past.

It's more that we've realized that if you don't
set time to be good to yourself and take delight
in life that you won't have enough charge in your
soul to empower anyone else.

Some people wear capes and cowls or turned back
collars,badges or stethescopes or olive drab to
help folks identify that they're here to make the
world a kinder,safer,saner place.

Some wear red,pink,lavendar and purple.

This is our livery,our gang colors.

We aren't ashamed of a 'hattitude' that insists
that joy and respect should be experienced by all
peoples.

Who in Hades decided that maturity,common sense,
and responsibility can't co-exist with sheer pleasure?

(Yeah,THAT'S a concept we want our young people
to absorb!)

Are there some people who distort the Red Hat ideals to conform to their faults?

Sure,there must be.

But,maybe,if they hung out with some grown-ups,
they might learn something.

Yes, but some women feel resentment towards their families for sacrificing their lives early on and now have abandoned their families for self absorbsion with their friends and tell everyone else but their friends to kiss their ass's!

the truth be known the Red Hat Society may say it is all about fun after 50 but it is really all about the money honey. They spend most of their time sueing people who offer anything in red or purple and the rest of their time promoting their books they don't write and their products which are over priced.
It is one of the best marketing plan I have seen in a long time these people are smart money makers buying into the women over 50 who feel they have never had anything of their own and making them feel special is a good hook. Sorry ladies they are not what they appear to be, in fact Jenny Joseph has written somewhere that she hates the color purple and the Red Hat Society because they refused to pay her royalties on her poem and that is why they don't sell anything with the poem on it anymore Did any one happen to notice! Yet that is the whole reason they say they got started
The world needs to be educated on the reality of the multi million dollar company
If anyone has seen the statement I talk about where jenny joseph says she hates purple please send it to me. Someone did and I have misplaced it.Jan

If a woman wants to be a Hatter and just have some good clean fun what harm is there? I worked hard bringing up two great kids, and I held a public job as well. The Red Hat Society fills some invisible holes in my heart. And no person is hurt by what the Hatters do. For all the men who think it is dumb...join the Hard Hat Guys.
Duchess Show Me the Money

In response to the crude comments above about the Red Hat Society......just so all of your ignorant rear ends know.....it's not just a group for women over 50!!! Our chapter consists of half "pink hatters" who are under 50, with a few as young as 24. I am a health care professional...in fact I practice psychiatry and can tell you that some of you had better find your own way to release stress or physical and/or mental illness will surface.

I have no kids and have played hard since a child. I am now 34. I love our group....you're probably just jealous that you don't have a group to be a part of....I don't see you bad mouthing sororities, fraternities, churches or political parties. It's a group standing together for a common interest and in our case it's for having fun!!! If you don't like the red and purple and women having the time of their lives, then turn your head away and go pine away in your miserable little world!

I think the Red Hat Society is fantastic and can attest that slumber parties, teas and vacations with the girls is a far better remedy for stress than sitting at home feeling lonely and wasting precious time that God has given us!!!

Where do I sign up???
I would LOVE to join The Pink Hat Society, and think it's a wonderful idea.
It would be so awesome to have a fun, inspiring, group of wild-women to tag with. I have lots of interests and hobbies, and my husband is my best friend, but in all honesty, being a woman can get pretty lonely. Especially when all other women seem to be programmed as Competitors, out to "win" by taking something from one another. Shows like "Desperate Housewives" don't do much to quell the cattiness, insecurity, and general nastiness society encourages. Being considered "beautiful", I find myself on the receiving end of a lot of this Nastiness, so I can tell you it hurts, and doesn't make socializing fun, and makes other girls seem like enemies. I have very few close
friends.
The idea that we can just get together as ladies, and have good, clean Fun, is marvelous! And, sure, I can have fun without joining, or wearing anything, but why not?
I want to be surrounded by fun, zany, positive women who like dressing up (I love Victorian dolls and clothes). Women my age usually think jeans and t-shirts when it comes to getting dressed, and think it's wierd that I wear gloves and stockings.
So yeah, bring on the Mavens! How fun, can't wait!

P.S. I've read a lot of the negative, foul, or just blatantly woman-hating (I don't call it "sexism", I call it what it is) remarks, and wow,
anyone wondering why the need exists for these groups should read them again. It's to spend a little while with other fun-minded people; away from you morons.

Where do I sign up???
I would LOVE to join The Pink Hat Society, and think it's a wonderful idea.
It would be so awesome to have a fun, inspiring, group of wild-women to tag with. I have lots of interests and hobbies, and my husband is my best friend, but in all honesty, being a woman can get pretty lonely. Especially when all other women seem to be programmed as Competitors, out to "win" by taking something from one another. Shows like "Desperate Housewives" don't do much to quell the cattiness, insecurity, and general nastiness society encourages. Being considered "beautiful", I find myself on the receiving end of a lot of this Nastiness, so I can tell you it hurts, and doesn't make socializing fun, and makes other girls seem like enemies. I have very few close
friends.
The idea that we can just get together as ladies, and have good, clean Fun, is marvelous! And, sure, I can have fun without joining, or wearing anything, but why not?
I want to be surrounded by fun, zany, positive women who like dressing up (I love Victorian dolls and clothes). Women my age usually think jeans and t-shirts when it comes to getting dressed, and think it's wierd that I wear gloves and stockings.
So yeah, bring on the Mavens! How fun, can't wait!

P.S. I've read a lot of the negative, foul, or just blatantly woman-hating (I don't call it "sexism", I call it what it is) remarks, and wow,
anyone wondering why the need exists for these groups should read them again. It's to spend a little while with other fun-minded people; away from you morons.

I'm sorry, but a group of ladies going out in public dressed alike just looks plain silly. It always looks to me like they're trying too hard to have fun.

Most of these red hat ladies I've met are very rude.
I let one cut in line once, and she thanked me by farting in front of me...puke. They seem to think they are better than anyone else. I am looking forward when red hatters die out. If they started from a generation of women who couldn't get credit without a man, then they should all be dead by the time I'm old. No point in my generation keeping this nonsense alive.

I have been appalled by many of your comments. I only hope that most of you can come to realize that everyone’s life experiences are different and that our own perspectives present us with unique views. Cheers!

Having looked through most of these comments, I am surprised at how mean spirited most of you are.
I hope I never run into any of you rude, joyless critics.
I would be ashamed to know you. More power to the harmless Red Hatties!

Personally I think many of you can't stand to look at "old people" - especially ones appearing to have fun. You most certainly don't want them drawing attention to themselves - because it all reminds you that one day YOU too will grow old and possibly fat, wrinkled and bald. Oh, BTW, the younger generation (the ones who are rude & ignorant - in other words - your future kids) will probably make fun of you. IF you've finally matured and know what life is about then maybe you won't care. You'll be far too busy having fun!

To all of you having a problem with "Red Hatters".
May I say only this... either you get it or you don't.
If you are one of these gals, you understand, and if you are not, no amount of counseling will help.
If you are lucky enough to live that long, one
day you will see the things that make this all
worth while.
We have been where you are, probably done what
you're doing and NOW we put on our hats and tell
the world to "Kiss Ours"