The Bakersfield Voice

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Happy birthday to a group that is not made of preschoolers, but of Lil’ Rascals. This group is not known as the Sisterhood of Traveling Pants, but as the Sisterhood of the Red Hats!

The Red Hat Society is a social organization founded in 1998 for women over 50, based on the poem “Warning” by Jenny Joseph that depicts an older woman in purple clothing with a red hat. The society’s founder, Sue Ellen Cooper, says that the international phenomenon started on a lark when she impulsively bought a red fedora at a thrift shop.

“The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humor and élan. We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together,” writes Cooper on the Red Hat Society’s official Web site.

“Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes us next,” adds Cooper.

As of October 2006 there were 1.5 million registered members in over 40,000 chapters in the United States and 30 other countries, and new chapters are forming every day.

The women of one local chapter, the Lil’ Rascals, enjoy feelings of belonging. There is a genuine love for one another and gratitude for the awesome friendships they have made. They laugh together, cry together, and celebrate all known (and some unknown) holidays. They are a remarkable family. And they do have fun.

On a Saturday afternoon in April, this group of amazing women celebrated four years together and the beginning of friendships that bring joy to each, regardless of their circumstances. It was a time of visiting, playing games, sharing stories, subtle chuckles, and raucous laughter. The group is comprised of women from varied backgrounds, educational experiences, marital statuses and occupations.

They are only one of 44 chapters of Red Hatters in Bakersfield. Each chapter is led by a Queen Mum, also known as its Leader of the Pack. The members within each chapter adopt new names for themselves, and the Lil’ Rascals are no different. They are Dutchess MacKiwi, Marquessa of Mischief, Mary the Boom Boom Rapper, Divine Diva of Disorder, and Empress of Enthusiasm to name a few. The new name is meant to be indicative of each lady’s sense of humor and a hint at her personality.

The groups have activities that fit the lifestyles of their venerable members: cruises, gambling excursions, dress-up dinners, shopping field trips, and a monthly birthday bash — another excuse to join and celebrate members turning a year older.

There are only two requirements to belong to the Red Hat Society: a lady must be 50 or older, and she must enjoy wearing purple and red, which do not match.

Karen Smith is Queen Mum of the Lil’ Rascals chapter, but her subjects call her Madame Sweetie. Karen believes that the lives of her members are filled with all the joys, heartaches, disappointments, tragedy, beauty, and love that anyone has ever experienced.  Amongst these Red Hatters, she claims, you could find any story worthy of a Hollywood film.

“All of the Lil’ Rascals are living their lives to the fullest now,” said Smith. “We are all on the downhill side of this thing called life, and we want to make every moment count.”

“We have had four deaths in our chapter in the past two years. When these events took place, these ladies rallied and became a source of strength that Samson would have envied. They are incredible and have enriched each others lives beyond measure,” Smith added.

Some of the members are widows and some become widows, but all of the ladies are a source of support during the trying times prevalent during golden years. Some of the members were raised as single children, no siblings. Now, because of the Red Hat Society, each woman in the chapter has 30 sisters ready to assist and support.

Visit: www.redhatsociety.com to learn more about the The Red Hat Society.