Sue Ellen Cooper is the founder and President of the Red Hat Society, a social "disorganization" for women. Since its inception in 1998, the Red Hat Society has grown to include nearly 40,000 chapters in all 50 states and 30 countries. This grass roots social phenomenon encourages its members to connect socially and emotionally and support each other in the pursuit of vital, active living through middle age and beyond. The sisterhood hosts international and regional conventions and continues to grow at a brisk pace.

Prior to founding the Red Hat Society, Sue Ellen devoted much of her adult life to her family, raising two children. She enjoyed a part-time career as a commercial artist with her artwork published as framable prints and greeting cards by such companies as Leanin' Tree and Portal.

In the 1990s, Sue Ellen patented "That Earring Thing," a plastic earring holder targeted at the teen market. Some years later, she started a mural business with two friends, which lasted seven years. But it wasn't until a few years ago that Sue Ellen, by now in her 50s, would embark on a very different career path quite by accident.

After a national magazine featured tales of Sue Ellen and friends in her hometown in Fullerton, CA, meeting for tea dressed in red hats and purple clothes in July 2000, dozens of e-mails poured in asking, "What is the Red Hat Society and how can I join?" Six months later, the Orange County Register ran a story that was picked up by a wire service and appeared in newspapers throughout the country. The response was overwhelming and there was no denying Sue Ellen had started something big. "I didn't know where this was going," says Sue Ellen, "but I knew we would have fun getting there."

By this time, her children had grown so she temporarily put her paintbrush aside and devoted her energy to this social phenomenon. The Red Hat Society was formed with "Hatquarters" in Fullerton, based on friendship and it continues to be nourished by the same philosophy. Sue Ellen's love for her fellow woman is not connected to race, religion or philanthropy--the Red Hat Society is simply about sharing the bonds of womanhood.

Sue Ellen has written two best-selling books, "The Red Hat Society: Friendship and Fun After Fifty" (April 2004, Warner Books) and "The Red Hat Society's Laugh Lines: Stories of Inspiration and Hattitude" (April 2005, Warner Books). In addition, she has contributed chapters to numerous books by others.

Sue Ellen holds a degree in English from California State University, Fullerton. A longtime Fullerton resident, she lives with her husband, Allen, not far from the Red Hat Society's corporate offices. Their son Shane is an animation software designer. Daughter Andrea and husband Matt recently became the proud parents of Hannah--Sue Ellen and Allen's first grandchild and "Pink" Hatter in waiting.