Fabulous Red Hatters celebrate everything

Ramona Burum, like all new inductees, received this red hat last week.

I’m certain you have heard of the Red Hat Society. With 20,000 chapters and 70,000 members, it would be hard not to have. Founded in 1997, it’s the largest women’s social group in the world, according to a recent report on CBS News. (Click here to see that report.)

But have you heard of the Fabulous Red Hats? That is a very active Knoxville group formed in 2005. Last week, the Fabulous Red Hats met at Calhoun’s on the River to celebrate their sixth anniversary and induct eight new members. Over the course of their existence, the Fabulous Red Hats have gone to Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee, N.C, every year; gone to Atlanta to see various plays; attended the latest movies followed by meals; attended plays at Cumberland Playhouse; ridden in the back of a truck in the Martin Luther King, Jr., parade; and had numerous other dinners, celebrations and outings. They even attended a concert by The Temptations as a group. I’m telling you, these ladies have fun! On top of all that, they also visit various churches that their members attend and have donated clothing to the YWCA.

Duchess President Lula Williams calls the meeting to order.

At the anniversary party, Duchess Brenda Anderson (they have titles like that!) gave a moving pep talk to the group about the organization’s purpose. “We are like wine,” Anderson said. “We keep getting better. The only thing that gets old is money! We are going to live!” she declared. “When one of us gets down, pick your sister up!”

I got the impression from meeting these women that being a member of the Fabulous Red Hats gives a woman a great support system. They were positive and in a party mood. The national organization’s website says you must be 50 to be an official member, although those under 50 can be Pink Hatters. “The Red Hat Society has become the international society dedicated to reshaping the way women are viewed in today’s culture,” the official website says. “We are a global society of women that supports and encourages women in their pursuit of fun, friendship, freedom, fulfillment, and fitness. We celebrate life at every age. We solidify and expand the bonds of sisterhood. We discover and explore new interests. We realize our personal potential. We embrace healthy, life-lengthening lifestyles.”

Wow. Who wouldn’t want to be a member?

Click here for the cute story of how the national movement started.

The new inductees of the Fabulous Red Hats last week were Eleanor Blue, Ramona Burum, Maxine DuBose, Layla Keith, Carolyn Manley, Dorothy Jones, Lillian Porter and Carol Ann Young. Other members are Brenda Anderson, Hildrith Gillespie, Cynthia Anderson, Carrie Johnson, Samantha Anderson, Judy McLendon, Peggy Bourne, Della Oliver, Betty Bowen, Emily Slater, Lula Williams and Amelda Wright, and Cornelia Fisher.

A late lunch (it started at 2 p.m.) at Calhoun's on the River

From left, Judy McLendon, Amelda Wright, Emily Slater and Samantha Anderson.

Duchess Brenda Anderson, left, and Queen Mother Della Oliver.

Dorothy Moore, center, enjoys the meeting.

Eleanor Blue, left, and Maxine DuBose. (When it's your birthday month, you wear a purple hat!)

Lillian Porter and Carol Young

Dorothy Moore, left, and Carolyn Manley

Duchess President Lula Williams

All new inductees received one of these special bags.

The folks who are not women -- or are not dressed in purple and red -- are guests of the members.

The ladies like the private room by the window at Calhoun's -- where they can see the ducks!

Thanks to the Fabulous Red Hatters for the special deck of playing cards they gave to The Blue Streak! I bet they'll be lucky!

 Note: Thanks to Lula Williams for the invitation to the anniversary and to Brenda Anderson for her assistance with identifying some of  the Fabulous Red Hatters.