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The Red Hat Society Registers its 40,000th Chapter

FULLERTON, Calif., March 30, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- More than one million Red Hatters have experienced fun and friendship with the Red Hat Society and women from all over the world are eagerly joining in. A social phenomenon that began when a few women decided to greet middle age with verve, humor and elan, the Red Hat Society has grown to include women of all ages, from all walks of life, with chapters in 29 countries.

On March 29, the Red Hat Society registered its 40,000th chapter-The Red Hat Rockettes of Las Vegas (Las Vegas, Nevada).

Red Hatters-ages 50 and older-and Pink Hatters-ages under 50-come together for activities ranging from tea to sailing the high seas, marching in parades and going on motorcycle rides. It's been just seven years since the first group of Red Hatters met for tea in red hats and purple outfits. Chapters continue to garner attention wherever they go.

"When a woman joins the Red Hat Society and lowers that red hat onto her head, magic seems to ensue," says founder and Exalted Queen Mother Sue Ellen Cooper. "New friendships are born; old friendships are solidified or rediscovered."

The overwhelming response has led to both national and regional conventions and official Red Hat Society merchandise that furthers the society's commitment to women. Partnerships with 28 licensees have produced a number of Red Hat Society brand products that go beyond the traditional red hat to include clothing, stationery, jewelry, scrapbooking materials, publications and more.

Sue Ellen Cooper's second book, "The Red Hat Society's Laugh Lines: Tales of Inspiration and Hattitude" (Warner Books), will be released in April. The first Red Hat Society book (Warner Books, April 2004), "The Red Hat Society: Fun and Friendship After Fifty" by Cooper, quickly shot to No. 1 on the New York Times best seller's list (Advice category) upon its release, where it remained for several months. A Red Hat Society scrapbooking book, "Designer Scrapbooks the Red Hat Society Way" (Sterling/Chapelle Ltd.) is due out in June 2005.

The Fourth Annual Red Hat Society Convention, "The Big Deal," will be held June 24-29, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. With more than 5,000 Red Hatters already registered, this will be the largest event in Red Hat Society history. As demand for regional conferences skyrockets, the Red Hat Society's second regional convention, "The Boston Tea Party," will be held Aug. 25-28 in Boston, Massachusetts.

To interview Red Hat Society Founder and Exalted Queen Mother Sue Ellen Cooper, or a chapter in your area, call Kerry Towner at (714) 738-0001. For more information, visit www.redhatsociety.com. Photographs and additional press materials are also available. The Red Hat Society has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, and many other publications, and Cooper has been a guest on the Today Show, The Early Show and The Jane Pauley Show.

The Red Hat Society, Inc. logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=846

CONTACT:  The Red Hat Society, Inc.
          Kerry Towner
          PR & Marketing Coordinator
          (714) 738-0001 
          kerry@redhatsociety.com