How it all Began
A simple story from the Exalted Queen Mother about two friends turning “fifty-ish” and having fun.
When my dear friend Linda Murphy was nearing a “fifty-ish” birthday she began to joke about getting old. While neither of us thought of “fifty-ish” as being old, we were both aware of society’s perceptions about age and women. With these thoughts in mind, I set out to find Linda the perfect birthday gift, one that would do her imaginative spirit justice. I searched through heaps of trinket gifts and piles of knick knacks, but nothing seemed right. At this point, I remembered a poem, titled “Warning” by Jenny Joseph. I recalled its refreshing (liberating) attitude toward aging. I found a framed copy of the poem, paired it with a vintage red hat and presented the gift to Linda. She loved its playful reminder not to take aging too seriously. Soon similar birthday gifts were given to my closest friends and it was decided we would all venture out to tea dressed in our red hats and purple dresses.
On that day, April 25, 1998, something magical happened. Whether it was the allure of playing dress up or the transforming effect of our regalia, the tea was a smashing success. Deciding to make our get-togethers a regular tradition, we dubbed ourselves the “Red Hat Society” then and there. Royal titles were bestowed upon all (Linda and I taking the titles Esteemed Vice Mother and Exalted Queen Mother respectively). Later several hundred like-minded women began asking how they could play too. And the rest is herstory ….
In a 1996 survey, BBC identified “Warning” as the UK’s most popular post war poem. It reminds me of my mother. She and Jenny were born the same year. Mom reveals in her position as the Gypsy Queen of Geri-Antics, wearing loud floral skirts, sporting several toe rings, and eating sausages.
It made me wonder about Jenny herself. Where is she now? Is she actually wearing dazzling blouses and skyrocketing her cholesterol count?
It turns out Jenny has written poetry all her adult life (and earlier, I bet) but this one poem has defined her, despite a large and rich body of work. It has inspired thousands of women to wear purple – but she hates the color herself. Jenny doesn’t mind that her poem has become more famous than she is, but when asked if she would start wearing purple anytime soon, she replied, “I can’t stand purple. It doesn’t suit me”.
As a Later Bloomer, I love “Warning” as an ode to nonconformity and admire this 84-year-old woman who quietly created art while holding down various jobs, from running a pub to lecturing English literature.
In 1999, the prestigious Royal Society of Literature made Jenny a fellow.
