ABOVE: Ruby Red Hat Sisters seated in front Queen Linda Goddard, and Louis Henthorn. Back row L-R Billie Zimmerman, Jean Lancaster, Jeanie Bowser, Carolyn Goddard, Lisa Van Dyne, Johnie Smith, and Dona Neeley. In back Chris Hall. RIGHT: Local Red Hats Cutline: Linda Goddards Red Hat Society decorations in her home.

Red Hat Society, who are they one may ask.

The Red Hat Society is a social organization for women. It was initiated in 1998 when founder Sue Ellen Cooper was out and about and spotted an inexpensive vintage red hat in a thirft store and decided to purchase it. Later on she read a poem by Jenny Joseph titled “Warning” but also commonly known as “When I Am An Old Woman”. The poem starts out “I shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me.” It then goes on stating things the author would do as she grows older. These things may not seem proper or suitable for someone of her age. Things like an older lady playing in the mud, or dancing in the streets. Cooper loved the poem so much she gave the poem and the red hat to a friend on their birthday. After the first gifting she continued to do so for all of her lady friends. Which eventually began the first Red Hat chapter. The Red Hat Society now holds over 40,000 chapters consisting of millions of women around the world.

Most women often forget to take time for themselves. They are consumed with their families, careers, and even society. Linda Goddard, the Queen of the New Martinsville area Red Hat Society, gives ladies a ticket straight to fun and silliness. Everyone needs an occasional “recess” from the cares and responsibilities of everyday life. A time to break loose and have fun with other women.

Goddard, recently organized and held a Christmas luncheon at Olive Garden for her local group the “Ruby Red Hat Sisters”. They enjoyed a gift exchange as well lunch and fellowship. The Ruby Red Hat Sisters consists of approximatly 13 members and meet the second Thursday of every month at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 6:00pm. The group supports each other through fun and friendships. Members enjoy each others company while having a meal prepared by the Queen, playing games, making crafts, and just being silly. Although, originally Red Hats were centered on women 50 and older, they encourage women of any age to join. Red Hatters, those 50 and above, wear purple clothing and red hats. Those under 50 ordinarily wear pink hats, and wear outfits of lavender. The member’s philosophy is they are all ageless and present a universal appearance. They are cheerfull and far from invisible. During dinner Jean Lancaster stated ” We are not something people are use to seeing much. So they stop and look.” “They are amazed,” Linda Goddard added.

The Ruby Red Hat Sisters would like to extend an invitation to any area women who would like to join their group. Unlike the national group they do not charge a membership fee. They just enjoy each others company and the opportunity to have fun with other like-minded women. When the ladies were leaving Olive Garden to head home “Louise Henthorn stated,”I am taking my tiramisu home and I am not sharing.” Everyone got a good laugh, which is just what the group is about.

The next meeting is January 13, 2022 at 6:00p.m. Linda said, she hopes to see everyone there and she hopes one day you may even witness her Red Hat Society themed room at her home. The Ruby Red Hat Sisters motto is, we are the women of society who know all must grow up, but who belive you are never too old to have fun. There is too much fun to be had while looking glamourous than to worry about nonsense.