First How it all Started
“The Red
Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet
middle age with enthusiasm, humour and style. We believe friendly
humour is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it
together we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the
enjoyment together. Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of
affection forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm
for wherever life takes us next” – Sue Elllen Cooper
Sue Ellen is the founder of this wonderful organisation. The idea
came to her about 10years ago whilst visiting a friend in Tucson,
she impulsively bought a bright red fedora at a thrift shop for no
other reason than it was cheap and she thought quite dashing.
A year or two later she read the poem “Warning” by
Jenny Joseph, which depicts an older woman in purple clothing with a
red hat. Sue Ellen felt an immediate bond with Jenny Joseph and
decided to give the poem and a red hat to a dearest
friend. Her friend had so much enjoyment out of the poem and hat,
that she gave it another friend and another friend and now we have
millions of “Red Hatters” all over the world.
By Jenny Joseph
Because of copyright
restrictions, we are unable to publish the entire poem on this
web site. Following is an adapted version of the poem so you can get
an idea of what it is about.
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens . . .
The ending of the poem pleases its readers when the woman says . . .
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple
About Jenny Joseph
Jenny Joseph (b. 1932) is originally from Birmingham but her first
remembered home was in leafy Buckinghamshire. She read English at St
Hilda's College Oxford. A variety of occupations has included being
a newspaper reporter, lecturer in language and literature and
landlady of a London pub. Her poems were first published when she
was at university at the beginning of the 1950's
Her varied output includes poetry for children as well as adults,
books that combine prose and poetry (Persephone) and
different forms of prose fictions (Extended Similes). She has
collaborated with photographers (Beached Boats), painters,
musicians, actors and dancers, and worked with speakers of poetry
and voice teachers to encourage the learning and speaking of poetry.
She currently lives in Gloucestershire.
return
to home page