High Living

(From Miss Kitty's Journal, Winter, 2004)

Although their group isn't yet a year old, the Women With Altitude, in Grand County, Colorado already have 22 members ranging in age from 51 to 83 and all of them live (at least part time) at about 9000' above sea level.  Each member takes a turn planning the group's monthly event and that lady becomes the "Event Queen" and gets to wear a special crown Queen Mum, Barb Warnell brought back from a European trip.  Talk about making her members feel like Royalty, WOW!  A Japanese friend of Barb's, Taeko Okamoto of Fukuoka, Japan, was so taken by the spirit of these Red Hat Women With Altitude she met while visiting Barb in Winter Park, she joined their chapter and went home to Japan and started what is probably the first chapter of Red Hatters made up of all Japanese women.  Now the Women With Altitude have a Japanese sister chapter founded on the friendship they formed on that visit.  Women With Altitude, you make us proud, both as Women of Colorado and Red Hat Ladies!  You set an outstanding example of what kind of influence we can have when we introduce our lifestyle to a visitor!  Thanks!