October 3, 2001

Meeting middle age with humor

Women establish Red Hat Society

By LISA PERKINS
Herald staff writer
       Don't be surprised if you see a large group of women all dressed in purple and wearing red hats. Traverse City is home to the newest chapter of the "Red Hat Society."
      The "Red Hat Society" started several years ago as the result of a few women who were inspired by a poem entitled "Warning" by Jenny Joseph which encourages women to meet middle age with humor and silliness-wearing purple and a red hat, of course.
      Local organizers, Jo An Blair and Pam Wakefield heard about the Society from a friend in Fenton, Mich. home of another chapter of the national organization.
      "I just thought it sounded like such a good idea," said Blair who along with Wakefield hosted an organizational luncheon meeting at Dill's, establishing the Traverse City chapter last Friday.
      "The only rules are you have to be a 50 plus woman, dress in purple and a red hat, and like to spend time with women talking and having fun," explained Blair who was overwhelmed and pleased when more than 30 women attended.
      The only officers of the society are the "anti-parliamentarian" who makes sure that no one imposes rules and the "hysterian" who keeps a group photo album.
      "We just don't have enough of those fun events in life," claims a Red Hat Society brochure, "the whole point is seeing what serendipity will bring."
      Serendipity is what brought Shirley Johnson, a "Red Hat" member in Arizona during the winter months, to join the new local group.
      "I had thought about trying to start a chapter here but I didn't feel like I knew enough people here, then I heard about this meeting," she said.
      Johnson, who looks forward to shopping for red hats- noting she already has several in her collection- and anything purple added, "we are taking the nation by storm."
      New member Mary Judd noted that finding those much sought after red hats can be a challenge.
      "My daughter found this one for me. I've never been a hat person myself, but who knows maybe this Red Hat Society will change my image and I will wear a hat all the time."
      Phil Anderson, owner of Diversions hat store in Traverse City is doing is best to eliminate the problem.
      "I will keep my eye out for red hats whenever I can, and I've always got some in stock."
      Without a doubt, there will be a run on them before the next meeting.
      "Evidently this fills a real need for women to get together and socialize," said Alta Cameron who recently moved to Traverse City from Birmingham, Mich. "I like men, but I think women are wonderful."
      For more information, call Jo An Blair at 276-0015 or Pam Wakefield at 946-3511. The next meeting, an afternoon tea, is scheduled for 2 p.m., November 3, at the Traverse City Senior Center.