If anyone is really interested in knowing about this, their founder wrote a book recently, you can find it a barnes and noble. I almost picked it up, seemed like an interesting read.
red hats are all over my town, there are even several stores down town that cater to them, it's quite a sight to see a bunch of them out together, but from what I understand around here it's really hard to find a group that has space for more members, I don't think they have a membership critera but they do have a ceiling. The ladies seem to have alot of fun but, I couldn't see joining young I've never seen a younger woman in any of the groups around here.

I think the society is AWESOME, and I would love to join when I get old. :)

I think its a great idea for my mom & sister, but I want to stay active w/ Sigma Kappa Alum when I'm older. I don't want to be split by 2 groups...

I guess I'll have to look into what kind of time commitments there are. My sister isn't of a questionable age but I sure feel like I am, so maybe my mom will understand if I hold out for awhile. :)

I think this group sounds awesome. I had heard a bit about it, but never read the poem. The other day when I was in Hallmark I saw several things that were for Red Hat women including a small statue of an older woman dressed in a purple dress and red hat. I assume there are groups in Raleigh, but have never heard about them or seen them. I would love to join one of these groups when I get older or even join the Pink Hatter club before that.
And IheartAphi, I love the Grovepark Inn too! I didn't know Lilly wrote about it in her book. My roommate has the book, but I haven't gotten a chance to read it yet.

Maybe when you are older (over 50) it'll be more appealing? And maybe you can get some older Sigma Kappa alums involved in the Red Hat society. It might be a nice alternative--a group that you can just enjoy for the funness of it and not worry about all the business aspects or politics that often go along with alumnae associations.

I'd love to find a local Red Hat chapter that welcomes Pink Hats. I think it would be a blast!

A lot of chapters do, but some discourage younger women a little more than others. I think that my mom is pushing this so hard because they need members, pink or red hats.

*this is a colossal bump*

My mom is very active in the Red Hat Society and she loves it. I have encouraged her as I have seen it as a great sorority.

So today she calls me to ask questions about why she can't find Red Hat stickers etc anywhere and asked "are they licensing this". I did some quick online research and sure enough, they do. I can understand this as there is a need to protect Image, Brand etc.

A little more RESEARCH and now I am being bothered by what I am finding. RHS is NOT a non-for-profit organization. It was founded by two friends and it is a HUGE privately held corporation with one helluva marketing plan. They do NOT reveal their revenues and there is "national membership fees". There is no membership governance...and the worst part to me "the founder is the Queen Bee Mother". ::shiver::

Editted to add: I forgot to mention....they pay NO royalties to Jennifer Joseph the author of the poem that their "society is founded upon and Jennifer Joseph will not let them publish the poem in anyway. She detests the RHS and regrets her poem now.

I am not going to tell my mom about this because I think it would just frost her behind to no end to realize this.

I recently became acquainted with the "Blue Thong Society" for younger, hip women (who thing RHS is old fogey) until I realized VERY QUICKLY (before learning RHS is for-profit) that it was to the benefit of the three founders.

How do you all feel about such organizations? They start out fulfilling a altruistic need for comradery and socializing, but end up making their "founders" quite wealthy all in the guise of "social fun" without really mentioning the "private" for-profit part of it.

I saw the founders of the Blue Thong thing on a local news/lifestyle program here maybe two years ago. I don't have a problem with what they are doing per se, but you bring up a good point about how important it can be to check out whatever organization you might want to get involved with.

Do you have to pay dues or a membership fee to these groups? If all you want to do is go out and have a girls night out or a lunch date with some girlfriends I say go have fun (just don't drink and drive!)

It'll be interesting to see what kind of lasting value these orgs have.

I emailed one of the founders of the Blue Thong Society and recieved this response from their corporate attorney.

“In response to your questions regarding the corporate status of Blue Thong Society, Inc., here is the information that should help you. Blue Thong Society, Inc. is a privately owned corporation that is operated on a “for profit” basis. It is not a 501(c) charitable organization. The Board of Directors are elected by the shareholders who are the owners of the company. I hope this answers your questions.”


In other words, we are in the business to make our founders very wealthy women.

I quit.

Oh my...

I know a few ladies who are Red Hatters and they seem to have a really good time.

Never heard of the Blue Thong society. After reading through both of these threads and searching for myself, I've opted not to join the Red Hat Society when I get older as previously planned for myself. I'll contirbute my time and money elsewhere.

Mike & I were having dinner at a local pub a few weeks ago and saw a large gathering of the Red Hat Society there eating. I thought they looked adorable and they were really nice to us.

I am bumping this because I knew I read it on GC and I was bothered to read that the Red Hats are being seen as equal to legitimate women's organizations in another thread.

Ohh, this makes me sad. :(