Women's group hosts theme parties, service work

Wine and cheese parties, mimosas, day trips, shopping expeditions, you name it, the Sassy Ladies of the Lowcountry have tried it and aren't afraid of fun.

In fact, it's the cornerstone of their organization.

Seven years ago, Joan Hurley of Goose Creek wanted to start a women's organization after learning of the national Red Hat Society, which was founded in California for women older than 50.

Hurley, 76, along with a group of friends mainly from North Charleston and Dorchester and Berkeley counties, formed a local chapter.

A few years ago, the group decided to break away from the Red Hat Society to become an independent group.

"We wanted to do more than just have lunches," Hurley said. "We wanted to have parties with themes."

The group did away with formality. There are no officers and they don't hold meetings. Most of the members are between 60 and 80, but there is no age requirement to join.

Hurley regularly sends out a newsletter to the 45 members of Sassy Ladies, and hopes they attend the events. She helps coordinate many of the festivities along with other women in the group.

The ladies have hosted teas, fashion shows and dinner parties at local restaurants. And if the occasion calls for it, they still don their festive hats. Hurley owns more than 30.

The group also has sponsored several community service events. The women gave bookbags to 25 needy students. They've also hosted baby showers for children born to disadvantaged families.

Earlier this month, they celebrated the seventh anniversary of the Sassy Ladies of the Lowcountry at Berkeley Intermediate School.

Glenna Best, 60, of Goose Creek joined the group three years ago with her mother. She remembers with laughter the parties where ladies dressed up in tuxedos as a tribute to actor and singer Dean Martin. At another event, someone came dressed as Cleopatra. At another event, there was a Sonny and Cher duo complete with a performance of "I Got You Babe."

"The most important thing is to get together and have fun," Best said. "The rules are that we don't sit around and moan and groan about our aches and pains. You've got to have fun."

Frances McClenny of Summerville has been a member of Sassy Ladies for about five years. She joined the group during the Red Hat Society days after meeting Hurley on several occasions.

McClenny, 71, often functions as the group storyteller and frequently regales the group with seldom-told tales about Charleston.

She is proud that the women come from many walks of life and from different parts of the globe. There are members from England, New Zealand and Germany. Most are retired.

Among the women, McClenny has been known to cause a little mischief.

At a Halloween party several years ago, she persuaded a police officer to pretend that he was arresting Hurley "for being rowdy," McClenny said.

To her amusement, he agreed to play along.

"The look on her face was hilarious," McClenny said.

Memories of the fun times will stay with her as the group continues to plan more events that bring about bonding and friendship.

"You know that you can always pick up the phone and call a friend, and they are right there for you," McClenny said. "We've shared tears with one another. Maybe something happened in a family. We all feel it. I think it's a godsend. It's just an all-around good group."

For more information about the Sassy Ladies of the Lowcountry, call Joan Hurley at 863-1524.

Reach Jasiri Whipper at 745-5863 or jwhipper@postandcourier.com.