When a good friend of the writer Sue Ellen Cooper was nearing a “fifty-ish” birthday, Cooper stopped in a thrift shop store and bought her an old red fedora for $7.50.
Cooper was inspired by the poem, Warning, which begins with the line: “When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple, with a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me.” She wanted her friend to grow older in a playful manner.
That was in the fall of 1997, now Cooper’s friendly gift turned into the Red Hat Society, an international society made up of women of all ages. The Society has more than 50,000 members, more than 20,000 chapters in all 50 states and 25 foreign countries. One of those chapters is the Sparkling Divas of Queens, the Queens Chapter formed over a year ago by Una Petioni from Kew Garden Hills.
“I was belonging to other chapters and I wanted to do something different,” said Petioni, 69, also known as Queen Una, who joined the society almost three years ago. “I was looking for something more adventurous rather than just eating.”
The Society encourages women to pursue fun, friendship, freedom and fulfillment of lifelong dreams and fitness. It was originally designed as a way for women over 50 to escape the pressures and demands placed on their everyday lives. Women over age 50 are known as “Red Hatters” while those under 50 are called “Pink Hatters.” Members wear full regalia that include distinctive big red hats and purple outfits for those over 50 and pink hats and lavender outfits for members under 50.
“I wanted to join when I saw the colors,” said Petioni, who is a retired clinical dietician. “I am a colorful person. When I joined, I saw I could use my creativity to show off.”
The society offers a community for women to connect through experiences, services and social events, and instills in them a renewed sense of pride, confidence, and optimism. They want to redefine the traditional notions of aging.
The “Hat-quarters” serves as the center point of all communications and opportunities for its members offering tools, tips, discounts, and services and organizing several events including trips and conventions around the country.
“It was the perfect group for me to join,” said the Queens chapter Vice-Queen Janette Paul, 58, who is a teacher. “My kids love that I am having fun. You would be surprised how many loving women over 50 there are.”
For more information, visit: www.redhatsociety.com or call 1-866-386-2850.
