You may have seen them dining out, or having tea together, or perhaps you came across a group at one of the casinos in Atlantic City the last time you were there.

But no matter where it was that you’ve gazed upon these crimson crested ladies, you’ve most likely wondered, “What’s with the red hats?”

“Simply put, the Red Hat Society is a playgroup for women,” explained the Society’s founder and Exalted Queen Mother, Sue Ellen Cooper. “We create an environment where women can connect with one another, let their hair down, and just have some good, old fashion fun! Little girls grow up, but they’re never too old to play dress-up and have tea parties!”

The Red Hat Society boasts more than 40,000 chapters across the U.S., and averages about 10-50 members in each chapter. There are chapters in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries worldwide. Remarkably, while the Red Hat Society is now one of the largest and most recognizable women’s movements worldwide, its origin is considerably more modest.

Sue Ellen Cooper of Fullerton, CA devoted much of her adult life to raising her two children and working as a part-time commercial artist. After experiencing success as a commercial artist, in the 1990s, Cooper tried her hand at entrepreneurialism, patenting That Earring Thing, a plastic earring holder targeted at the teen market. Some years later, she also started a mural business with two friends. With such an impressive resume under her belt, it is remarkable that it was neither Cooper’s persistence nor entrepreneurialism that led to the establishment of the Red Hat Society. Rather, it all began with a simple gift.

In November 1997, Cooper gave a dear friend a copy of the poem “Warning” by British author Jenny Joseph, along with a bright red vintage fedora to celebrate her 55th birthday. The poem’s message—allow yourself to have fun and be silly—resonated with Cooper, and her close-knit circle of friends. Shortly thereafter, the Red Hat Society officially formed on April 25, 1998 when Cooper and a group of five friends, known as The Founding Chapter of Fullerton, California, dressed in purple clothing and red hats and met for afternoon tea.

“As women start to age, we can sometimes start to become almost invisible,” said Cooper. “Our goal was simple…we wanted to smile and laugh and enjoy life. We wanted to be noticed. We wanted people to smile with us, not laugh at us. We didn’t want to hide or apologize for our age or gender, but rather celebrate it!”

Word quickly spread after a story appeared in Romantic Homes in July 2000. Since then, thousands of articles have been published in regional newspapers and national magazines, such as Newsweek, Good Housekeeping and Women’s Day, the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times and the Boston Globe, as well as hundreds of articles that have appeared in local newspapers and magazines across the country and the world. Almost immediately, Cooper began receiving hundreds of emails and calls from women, all with the same burning question: “What is the Red Hat Society, and how can I join?”

“I didn’t know where this was going,” reminisced Cooper, “but I knew we would have fun getting there.”

With her children now grown, Cooper decided to temporarily put her paintbrush aside to devote her energy to this growing social phenomenon. She admits that she set off with very little forethought or planning, but that over time, a structure began to evolve to accommodate the growing number of members. One of Cooper’s more insightful contributions to the Red Hat Society was its only rule: there are no rules!

“We certainly encourage members to network and share fun and exciting ideas with each other, but each Red Hat Society chapter is an independent, self-governing society,” said Cooper. “The whole thought process behind the Red Hat Society was to teach women to let loose,” explained Cooper. “Our main responsibility is to have fun! We see this group as an opportunity for those who have shouldered various responsibilities at home and in the community their whole lives, to say goodbye to burdensome responsibilities and obligations for a little while. This is the place to have fun and enjoy yourself!”

Today, the Red Hat Society is made up of a diverse network of women including working women and retirees, grandmothers, golfers, attorneys, teachers, Olympians and entertainers. This evergrowing organization unites under the umbrella of a Red Hat to have fun and bond as sisters as they travel through life together. While the majority of members are over age 50, age is not a requirement to join. In fact, members over age 50 are known as “Red Hatters,” while those under 50 are called “Pink Hatters.”

The Red Hat Society calls itself a “DISorganization,” and they are proud of their lack of rules and by-laws. Based on friendship, it continues to be nourished by the same philosophy. Cooper’s admiration for her fellow woman is not associated with age, race, religion or philanthropy. The Red Hat Society is simply about sharing the bonds of womanhood, and Cooper hopes the tradition will continue for many years to come.

“Our only hope is that members will celebrate life, womanhood, and each other,” relates Cooper. “I’d really like to see the Red Hat Society endure,” she admitted, when asked about her hopes for the future. “For me, it never was, nor ever will be, about the number of chapters or members. It’s about women making meaningful connections, having a sense of belonging, and most of all, it’s about growing old playfully!”

To learn more about the Red Hat Society, call the national HATquarters in Fullerton, CA at (866) FUN-AT50 or visitredhatsociety.com.