SEEING RED

A good idea translates well into any language.

That’s how the Red Hat Society, an international “dis-organization” of women aged 50 and older, came to Taiwan.

Li-Yi Wu, founder of Taiwan’s only Red Hat chapter, has been visiting in Pittsburg, and met for lunch Tuesday with members of the Pittsburg chapter, the Red Hot Toppers. She was accompanied by her daughter, Szu-Fang Chuang, a Pittsburg State University graduate, who speaks English and serves as her translator.

“Three or four years ago I asked Elma Hurt about the Red Hat Society,” Chuang said. “I got the idea from her and told my mother.”

She said her mother was already active in other groups, including the Lions and Rotary Clubs, as well as other service organizations and charitable work.

“She says she got her motive from Elma, and by listening to her began to have the interest to start a chapter,” said Chuang, who is known to her American friends as Carol.

Chuang holds a bachelor’s degree in technology management and a master’s degree in human resource development, as well as a doctorate in human resource education from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. She is currently an assistant professor at Fooyin University, Taiwan.

Hurt said she met Chuang on a trip with the PSU Technology Center to visit Chinese universities and recruit students.

“Carol asked me to be her partner to help her learn English, and she worked very hard and learned well,” she said. “Her mother came to visit in 2004, stayed with us and we talked about the Red Hat Society. We went to Branson and bought some Red Hat things.”

Wu lives in Kaohsiung City, located in southern Taiwan. The city has a rich cultural heritage as well as a high-quality harbor. It is the most rapidly developing industrial city in Taiwan.

The name of Wu’s chapter is the Kaohsiung City Maydan International Red Hat Society. It has around 45 members, with a founding ceremony slated in August.

“We thought there was one other Red Hat chapter in Taiwan, but we called and found out that this is the only one,” Hurt said.

The new chapter is already active. “They have had lessons in flower arranging for the table and in using scarves and have had motivational speakers,” Chuang said. “They are also planning a trip for members to a hot springs.”

The chapter’s motto is “Be Yourself and Be Happy.”

“I think our motto should be ‘Laugh and Eat’,” said Diana Kerle, a Red Hot Topper.

Wu and Chuang brought gifts for their American friends, including jewelry and, for Hurt, a red cloche hat with a pin and feather matching the one worn by Wu.

“It’s hard to find red hats in Taiwan, so most chapter members wear ones like this,” Chuang said.

The visitors plan to stay with the Hurts a few more days, then return to Baton Rouge. After that, they will drive to California and take a flight home.

Wu had a message for her American friends, translated by her daughter. “I welcome all of you to come to Taiwan,” she said.