Mad Cappers [Left to right:] Johanna Buri, Marian Yatsko, Maura Lauth. Seated: Queen mom Diane Lukas

Diane Lukas finds the perfect angle for her hat

It was a sea of red hats and purple dresses – a mix of suede, leather, netting and feathers – all worn by women over 50.

Four thousand of them showed up to celebrate fun, friendship, and what they call their “dis-organization.” Thus was the most recent annual international convention of the Red Hat Society, a social group for older women not opposed to silliness, creativity, and having a good time.

The women wear red hats and purple dresses to all society functions, which typically include afternoon lunch or tea.

(A woman under 50 may join, but she is relegated to wearing a pink hat until she hits the half-century mark.)

Started in California in 1998, the Red Hat Society has seen chapters form around the world. Over the past four years, chapters have blossomed throughout the local area, with names like the Red and Pink Mad Cappers, Red Hattitudes and the Glitz and Glamour Girls.

McMurray resident Joanne Dolinar founded the Red Hattitudes three years ago after retiring from a long career as a teacher. Since then, the club has gathered more than 40 members and now has a waiting list. “I think it’s because we’re so active. We’re not just a sit-back organization. We try to incorporate a fun activity every month. Sometimes it’s a tea or another activity. We travel all over. We’re not afraid to drive,” Dolinar says of her members, whose ages range from 54 to 82, with the oldest member being among the most active.

The Red Hattitudes are planning summer trips to the Carnegie Science Center, Berlin, Ohio for shopping, antique shops in Monongahela, a Washington Wild Things game, fishing in Deep Creek, Md., a night tour of the Pittsburgh Zoo and a hands-on adventure at the Sand Hill berry farm.

The Glitz and Glamour Girls started at the home of Queen Cathie Shenefelt three years ago with 10 members and now boast 40 active Red Hat women. Some of their favorite activities include trips to shows at the Little Lake Theater, Benedum Center and Point Park Playhouse, as well as planned events for this summer that include a journey to Amish country for shopping, dinner theater at Cambridge Springs, a ride on the ducky tour downtown, a visit to the Frick House and a gathering for Red Hat night with the Wild Things.

“I have a very active group. The main purpose is to have fun after fifty,” says Shenefelt, a retired Mt. Lebanon teacher. “We’re a positive disorganization. It’s about fun, celebrating and laughing. Everyone is so friendly.”

The activities are a part of what draws women to join the Red Hats, but the other temptation is, of course, the red hats. There are all sorts of designs and styles, all unique in their own way, ranging from a simple beret, exorbitant flashy style or just a flower in their hair.

“We have to have something red on our head. That’s our philosophy,” Dolinar says. “We picked red and purple, because they’re the most vibrant and the flashiest. When we go out in our red and purple, we are head turners.”

Diana Lukas got involved with the Red Hat Society in March 2004 when she began a charter at McMurray Hills Manor, “Oldies but Goodies,” for the residents of the nursing home. After realizing the success it had, she then opened another charter.

Red and Pink Mad Cappers celebrated its third anniversary with a “hoot” on May 21. “We have a good time. We do what we want, when we want to do it, because we can,” Lukas said.

“The Red Hat Society is all about me. It’s our time. We’ve raised families, and most of us are still raising families, just a second generation. We just take a little time once or twice a month, get all dressed up in our reds and purples, go out and enjoy. It really is fun.”

The Mad Cappers have about 24 members in their group and Lukas has decided never to close membership so as not to deny anyone the joy of being in the Red Hats, a joy that was echoed by all three Red Hat queens.

“We have done for others all our lives. Now it’s time to go out and have fun,” Dolinar says. “We want to embrace old age with vim and vigor and laughter. Laughter is the best medicine for everyone.”

For more information on the Red Hat Society and a listing of local chapters with openings, visit www.redhatsociety.com.