A strutting Peacock

In Burlingame, this flock is referred to as the Strutting Peacocks; an official chapter of the internationally known Red Hat Society. The local chapter was founded by Queen Amber-Leigh Junier.

The Red Hat Society itself originated in 1998, after Sue Ellen Cooper, now referred to as the Exalted Queen Mother, gave a copy of Jenny Joseph's poem, "Warning to a friend," along with a red hat from a thrift store. The poem refers to the hilarity of aging and begins, "When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple and a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me ... "

Following suit, Cooper and her friends decided to dress just as the poem stated and go out for tea. Through laughter and camaraderie, tea and crumpets and purple and red, the Red Hat Society was born.

Aimed primarily at women over 50, the society has developed over the last six years to include 20,000 nationwide chapters and has reached at least 18 other countries. As "red hatters" the all-girls club revels in celebrating life and sisterhood through good conversation and social get-togethers.

The peacocks take flight

After college, Junier felt as if something was missing from her life. By day, she works as a molecular biologist for Johnson & Johnson. While her title would be enough to exhaust most, Junier was still feeling as though there was something lacking.

"I was in Fremont one day having coffee and saw a group of red hatters," Junier said. "I asked my friend who they were and she told me the entire story of the Red Hat Society. It all sounded so interesting."

While Junier is far from 50, she had the desire to join a group of "ladies who lunch." Researching the possibility of joining local chapters, she learned all 150 were at their maximum capacity of 20 and closed to new members.

Junier also discovered that women of any age could be members of the society, but wore lighter shades of the signature colors - lavender outfits with pink hats until reaching the coveted age of 50. And she had no problem taking the initiative to create a new chapter in her life and in the lives of so many others.

Through advertisements in home-based mailers, applications began pouring in.

A group of 20 was soon assembled and the Strutting Peacocks received its charter on Dec. 26, 2003.

"Most of the peacocks are native San Franciscans. We have housewives, a flight attendant - and they all have a story," said Junier. "It's just a chance to have fun and spend some girl time."

What's in a name?

When searching for a chapter name, Junier discovered a famous walkway named Peacock Alley in Washington, D.C. at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel. As the story goes, socialites in haute couture pranced up and down this runway, their stride reminiscent of strutting peacocks.

Other chapters have equally creative names, blending the concepts of savvy lady meets tea party chic. Better Red than Dead, Brats in Hats, Well Bred Ladies, Cabernet Cabaret, Crimson Flashes and the Scarlet Oli Hatters are just a handful of the chapters within California.

It is the chapter names, the wardrobe and the faces that emphasize how carefree these groups of women really are.

"I have learned so much from these women. All of their life experiences - they don't panic over every little thing," said Junier. "It's refreshing to be around relaxed people."

Put on your red hat and strut

The Red Hat Society prides itself on answering the "what do you do" question with a response of "nothing." The concept is that these women have been dutiful and busy throughout their entire lives and deserve to make time for themselves and their girlfriends.

The peacocks attend social and charitable functions on a monthly basis and try to stay in the circuit of the Red Hat Society that holds conventions throughout the year all over the country. There are no specific by-laws of the organization, allowing each chapter to structure itself based on the "wishes and whims of the queen." This includes picnics with local chapters, Bay to Breakers and attending plays through Broadway by the Bay.

"I don't know if we'll be able to wear our red hats in the theater, but we can certainly put them in our laps," said Junier.

Monthly meetings are held at Burlingame cafés and coffeehouses where birthdays are celebrated, ideas exchanged and conversation is had.

As queen, Junier takes it upon herself to have the best brochures, invitations and business cards, as if this were a small business. She prides herself on the attention to detail she puts in and clearly has the determination to make the Strutting Peacocks a complementary piece of the Red Hat Society.

"So many women spend their lives taking care of their children, their husbands - I think this gives them a chance to be free - to wear strange clothing. It's their turn," said Junier.