Blue Thong Society

History

The Blue Thong Society was founded in 2005 in Encinitas, California by a group of women celebrating Mary Jo Wallo’s 50th birthday. The women were drinking Cosmopolitans (a cocktail made with vodka, Cointreau or Triple Sec, cranberry juice and lime juice) and discussing the “frightening fifties.” One of the women in the group raised her cocktail in a toast, and commented "Geez, Mary Jo, I don't see you wearing a Red Hat, but I do see you wearing a RED THONG!!!"

That pulled a ‘string’ in Mary Jo's head about what it means to turn 50 in the 21st century. A few nights later, a group of friends, Mary Ellen Wiegand, Kelly Golden and Jackie Tushinsky gathered in Mary Jo’s kitchen. The conversation turned again to the topic of age and the Red Thong. The women believed there was a real need for a cool and fun group of women to connect with other members of their generation, a generation they perceived to be unique. Having lived through the rock and roll years of the 1950s and the political activism of the 1960s, they were definitely not their mothers and grandmothers. The ladies were aware of the many stereotypes associated with women and aging, and they did not want to fulfill those expectations, especially those involving “frump."

They envisioned an organization that would encourage and educate all of their women friends about the benefits of staying hip, beautiful and chic forever. It did not need to be limited to their own generation, however; they could include the next younger generation, their sister generation. Their motto would be:

cquote| We will never give in or stop fighting for what we believe in, and above all, we will Fight Frump Forever, and one way to do that is to never stop wearing Hip-Huggers and Bell Bottoms! Further discussion resulted in combining the thong panty and foot thong as their symbol and inspiration. The result was the Blue Thong Society. The color blue was chosen because in color lore, blue is linked to emotions such as sympathy, harmony, friendship and loyalty. These emotions belong to personality characteristics that are permanent and reliable such as composure, mutual understanding and unshakeable trust. The women believed these traits are what women look for and count on in friendships with all the women throughout their lives: mother, sister, friend, daughter, and finally granddaughter.

Organization and Activities

Founded in 2005, the Blue Thong Society (BTS) is a social organization for women over age 21. The Blue Thong Society membership expanded quickly in the first two years after its inception, attracting more than 6,000 members in over 400 chapters. Chapters have been established in most states in the U.S., and there are chapters and members in Canada and Mexico.

BTS Chapters meet regularly in cities across the U.S. to plan outings, get-togethers and fundraising efforts for the charitable causes they support. Each chapter has a Chapter Director. Member age groups are Baby Blues 21-35, Powder Blues 36-49, and Blue Thongers 50 and beyond. Members are not required to wear a blue thong. Every BTS Chapter is required to adopt a local charity and work as a group to support their cause. Blue Thong Society chapters are involved in a variety of charities, depending on chapter location, community needs and chapter members’ interests. The charity focus is often related to women’s issues; particularly those dealing with domestic violence, and organizations that help women help themselves. They do work beyond women’s issues such as assisting animal shelters, thrift shops and food banks.

Signature Drink

The Blue Thong Society adopted a signature drink, the Blue Thong Martini. A Blue Thong Martini is made with top shelf Vodka and Blue Curacao with a ring of sugar around the glass rim.

Motto

"Fight Frump"

Philosophy

Drink blue martinis, support charities, be stylish, sassy, hip, edgy, have a youthful spirit, embrace milestones, be cool, be fun-loving, wear hip huggers and bell bottoms, be sympathetic to others, have inner harmony & peace, love your friends and family, fight frump. Most of all: enjoy life.

References

# Truman, Deanna. " [http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080607/GOIOWACITY/806070305 All about fun: Blue Thong members fight frump] ", Iowa City Press-Citizen, June 7, 2008.
# " [http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/1011bluethong1011thong.html How Blue Thong Society got its name] ", The Arizona Republic, Oct. 11, 2006.
# Felt, Susan. " [http://www.spokesmanreview.com/features/story.asp?ID=157859 Wine, women and thong: Boomer gals thumb noses at aging] ", Arizona Republic, November 5, 2006

External links

* [http://www.bluethongsociety.com/ Blue Thong Society]