SENIOR
SPOTLIGHT
Red Hat Society
Please allow me to introduce myself. I'm Margaret Webb, Lubbock's Founding Queen Mother of the Red Hat Society. The Red Hat Society is an international Organization for ladies 50 and older to enjoy their later years, by playing dress up by wearing purple clothing and red hats and go out to tea parties. The organization is now at 2900 chapters. Sue Ellen Cooper from Fullerton, Cal. is the Exalted Queen Mother and Founder of the Red Hat Society. She started this about 4-5 years ago. By pulling up
www.redhatsociety.com
you can read first hand her story and how it all came to be.
I started my first chapter (the mother chapter) in Lubbock July 19, 2000, after the article came out in the July issue of Romantic Homes Magazine. I was so impressed with the concept of the organization, I felt it my duty to bring it to Lubbock. I went to my computer, read about how to start my chapter, emailed Sue Ellen, gathered friends (25 to be exact), found a place and in 2 weeks time, we started a wonderful adventure. The name of the first chapter is "The Select Few"
A small article came out in the newspaper and my telephone started ringing and in 2 months time, another chapter was formed, "The Scarlet Toppers" and then January, 2001 the third chapter was formed, "Special Friends." Special Friends is for ladies that have obligations after 5:00 and on weekends, so we have luncheons at noon during the week. The Select Few is designed for the working ladies, after 5:00 and weekends. The Scarlet Topper chapter usually meets on Sat. noon and is a small group. The chapter prefers a small group and is closed to membership. I am the Queen Mother of "The Select Few" and "Special Friends" and the Advisory Queen of "The Scarlet Toppers."
We have some guidelines, only a few; you must come to functions in full regalia, purple attire and red hats and the main objective is to "Focus on fun." It is time for you, you have done for others now it's time for you. There are 200 ladies in Lubbock that are members and that grows daily. I was the 2nd chapter to start in the entire state of Texas. Sue Green from Nederland was the first.
We have helped 10 other chapters to get started, in the surrounding communities.
We have appeared in commercials, on TV talk shows, served rehearsal supper to the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra members, answered telephones for a local, educational TV telethon, helped Wheatley Elem. School with a Mother/Daughter Tea Party (this is an annual event). We have been a cheering squad for a Robotic computation, a Christian Home Schooled team, another annual event, to be. We have ridden in parades, winning 1st place at Idalou, TX. We have delivered a Birthday gift, of a membership to the RHS, purchased by a friend and welcomed her to the RHS, we have helped with a Tea Party at Carillon House, will be doing this every 3 months, been involved with Ribbon Cutting ceremonies along with the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, we were greeters at "A Time for Women" last year put on by the LAJ and Sue Ellen and myself gave 2 workshops "Just for Today, Come Learn to Play,"
I have given 4 programs on the RHS at the Women's Club. We have purse challenges, a big ring challenge and I put into place the traveling trophy.
The Local Lubbock RHS sponsored myself in the Ms. Texas Sr. American, SP Pageant in Post, Texas this past January. I brought home to them the title of 1st runner up. The chapters presented to me, on stage, 2 dozen beautiful red roses with purple filler. My talent was the reading of the poem, "Warning" by Jenny Joseph, which is the RHS poem.
I have appointed 6 ladies that serve as The Queen's Court. They are very supportive and are more visible in the community. This is a 1 year term and will rotate off for other ladies to have their turn.
What makes this work in Lubbock is the involvement of all the ladies and encouraging them to be creative and have fun with it. The colors are so electrifying that when we are out in full regalia everyone around us has as much fun as we are having. If we can put a smile on someone's face and make their day, we are richly blessed.
I was very honored to be part of the 1st ever RHS Convention in Chicago, Ill. Sue Ellen asked me to lead the "Queen's Council" session on Sat. morning. My picture was in the Chicago Tribune along with my name and Lubbock,
TX. and Woman's Day magazine, page 74, "Circle of Friends," June issue has a picture of when Sue Ellen was here in Oct. at a reception for Queen Mothers around the state and Colorado. There are 10 of us. Nice publicity. People magazine will feature us in this upcoming week (I think) at the Convention and AARP magazine will do a feature of the Convention.
Interested in Membership? Call Margaret at 806-791-5969
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