“When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple, with a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me.”
These are the words of English poet Jenny Joseph — words that Sue Ellen Cooper believed to be profound.
In 1998, Cooper was a widow living in Fullerton, Calif. She had struck up a friendship with another widow in her community, and that friend was nearing her 55th birthday.
Cooper provided her friend with a gift inspired by the Joseph poem: A red hat. The gift was similar to a red fedora that Cooper had purchased for herself at a thrift store.
Cooper had inadvertently started a movement. Women around her wanted to understand the symbolism behind her striking red hat, and they often resonated with the idea of growing old while blatantly demonstrating their youthful spirits. Cooper and her friend widened their circle to include women interested in the story behind the red hats, and began to go out as a group to enjoy one another’s company.
Soon, women all over the United States were donning red hats and gathering together to express their common interests and socialize. In 1999, there were two chapters of the organization, named the Red Hat Society. It soon morphed into an international phenomenon that now includes over 35,000 members.
“The main objective was to have fun over 50 [years old],” said Cynthia Hamilton.
Hamilton is the current Queen Mother (“the voted leader of the chapter”) of the Monongalia County area Heavenly Hatters, part of the original Red Hat Society. Around 2005, a “couple” of Red Hat Society groups formed in the Morgantown area. The most influential of those groups called themselves the Bedazzled Jewels. The Queen Mother of the Bedazzled Jewels was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. Without a leader, “the organization kind of fizzled out, but a couple of ladies did not want it to completely dissolve,” Hamilton said.
The women who wanted the organization to persevere went out in search of women with whom to create a new group, and eventually formed the Heavenly Hatters in 2008.
The Heavenly Hatters is an informal chapter of the Red Hat Society, drawing inspiration from the original society without being considered a nominal or international organization. The Heavenly Hatters serves the Morgantown and Blacksville areas as well as the Mount Morris, Pa., area. The Heavenly Hatters have a consistent membership fee of $1 per month.
The Heavenly Hatters hold monthly meetings that typically take place on the second Friday of each month. Each meeting is hosted by a different member and is held at a location selected by the host. Some of the meetings have themes: February’s had a Valentine’s Day theme, while March’s meeting was held at the Red Barn at Mason-Dixon Park and was decorated in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. The women prepared a meal of corned beef and cabbage, homemade bread with butter, salad and sweet tea and featured desserts of donuts and homemade cakes. The upcoming May meeting will be a Mother’s Day Tea.
In addition to the monthly meetings, the Heavenly Hatters practice philanthropy in any way they can.
“Sometimes a couple of members get together and do things such as making infant quilts for WVU Children’s Neonatal Unit,” said Hamilton.
According to Heavenly Hatters member Patty Metz, the group “also sponsors the Morgantown Health [and] Rehabilitation Center. We’ve been going there … probably since around 2008.”
While philanthropy is crucial to the members of the organization, they also find themselves happy to merely be in each other’s company.
“We enjoy socializing together at some restaurants and have attended some variety functions such as shopping excursions [and] variety shows,” Hamilton said.
The sense of camaraderie is widespread among the Heavenly Hatters. Sherry Forquer, a member of the organization, said the most important aspect of her membership with the organization is “the kinship, the sisterhood. I can call any of these ladies and they’d help me like that,” emphasizing the word “that” with a snap of her fingers.
Another member of the chapter, Brenda Martin, agreed: “We all believe in God and friendship,” Martin said in response to being asked about her love for the group.
The Heavenly Hatters were also responsible for initiating Mason-Dixon Park’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, according to member Patty Metz. The organization continues to help with that event. They also have a significant role in the preparation and management of the annual Ramp Dinner at Mason-Dixon Park, which is planned for April 25. After paying to enter the event, attendees are free to eat as much as they’d like. Each dish featured at the Ramp Dinner contains ramps, a wild onion favored among West Virginians. Last year’s Ramp Dinner yielded a turnout of 300 guests, some coming from states as far away as North Carolina. The Heavenly Hatters also take part in the Mason-Dixon Festival and October’s Buckwheat Cake Breakfast.
“I always say we love these things: God, family, friends, fun and our community,” Hamilton said of the Heavenly Hatters. “We are consistently striving to make our world a better place.”
Hamilton clarified that women do not have to be over 50 years of age to join the group — younger members are not only welcome, but encouraged, and referred to as “pink hats” rather than “red hats.” Of the acceptance of younger members, Hamilton said: “We welcome all to join us and [become] part of this sisterhood.”
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