�The Warning Poem�, written by Jenny Joseph in the
60�s, started the Red Hat Movement! �Ode to the Red Hat Society� is a poem written by our own E.Q.M. (Exalted Queen Mother) Sue Ellen Cooper to describe us!
The very first R.H.S. Red Hatter was our E.Q.M. Sue Ellen Cooper. Red Hatters are ladies over 50 who wear Red Hats & Purple Regalia! Pink Hatters of the R.H.S. are ladies under 50 who wear Pink Hats & Lavender Regalia! The very first Pink Hatter Queen was Glenda Brock of San Antonio, TX.
The vows and pledge were begun by Val, F.Q.M. (Founding Queen Mother) of the Austin-tatious Red Hat Chapter to initiate each of their members. The vows were originally fashioned from the "Statement of Purpose" written by E.Q.M. Sue Ellen Cooper. Each Queen along the way has added a little personality of her own to make the vows fit her chapter.
Reduation - The term RED-uation was coined by the
MZ-TEA-Rious Ladies Chapter & their Queenette Di. It
is a ceremony performed when a Pink Hat member turns the BIG 50 & Red-uates to now wear the official Red Hat.
Coronation - Ritual of inducting the chapter Queen
into her self-proclaimed royalty title of Queendomship! You can use as much pomp & circumstance
as you want or it can be plain Jane! Coronations have
been known to include crowns, scepters, royal robes,
flowers, bubbles, music etc.!
The Titles - Begun by E.Q.M, Sue Ellen Cooper
decreeing that she was "Queen Mother" & then later on
"Exalted Queen Mother". Just an interesting way to
make us sound more royal! There's Queen, Queen Mum, Her Royal Highness, Royal Diva, Dame, Grande Dame, Princess, Lady, Duchess, Empress, etc.
Red Hat Society Day - April 25th is R.H.S. Day
because E.Q.M. Sue Ellen�s founding chapter had their
first meeting on that day in 1998. There are usually
special gatherings all over the country on this day! In some small towns, the mayor will actually proclaim April 25th as �Red Hat Day� in their community.
Girlfriend�s Day - It is E.Q.M. Sue Ellen Cooper�s
Birthday! (Secret! She turned 50 on July 22nd 1994!)
Cards, Greetings & Gatherings - are shared by Red & Pink Hatters on this day!
Reverse Color Day - Started by the F.Q.M. Linda, of the
Sasscee Gals of Tucson, Arizona, which they refer to
as "Au Contraire". At their monthly gathering, the
ladies who have a birthday that falls in that month
are allowed to wear a red outfit & purple hat so they
will stand out. At the gathering the birthday girl(s)
has to recite a poem, sing a song or perform a bit of
shtick that she has made up! This chapter also
dresses all in red in February to celebrate Valentine's Day! This colorful way of dressing has become known as "Reverse Day". Also some Queens will decree that at certain gatherings the members will reverse dress.
Gatherings - Per our E.Q.M., the R.H.S. does not
hold �meetings�...the word is too stuffy. (Meetings sound too orderly!) The words gathering, get-togethers, events or activities are preferred. Some chapters make up a �meeting� word that comes from the name of their chapter name. (RazZmaTazZ chapter in San Diego has TazZings.)
A Red Hat High Tea - The ceremony of the "High Tea"
in this day and time is held in a somewhat higher
regard. Appropriate dress is required, as well as
proper manners. The tea utensils & place settings
used for the "High Tea" must be fitting for such an
occasion. The table is adorned with an elegant
tablecloth & napkins. "High Tea" is choosing the
appropriate tea for the occasion, letting it steep and
then sip by sip enjoying it. This is usually accompanied with some wonderful scones, sandwiches and sumptuous sweet treats. It�s just lovely! Truly a
tradition from another time. It makes the world go
slower for a moment. "High Tea" is a ceremony of
life, time and elegant living!
Ode to RHS Photos Royal Court Special Credits This 'n' That