Rebel Red

“I would rather be a rebel than a slave” — Emmeline Pankhurst

Saturday, May 4th, 1912, Suffrage Parade — New York

That day is etched on my mind so well. It’s how I’ve got to be where I am now, and not too long ago — just about a month! It was a beautiful Saturday, as rain often falls in May in New York, but not that day — it was just glorious!

That particular morning, there was me — I’m Red Door Red , Victory Red, Real Red, Remarkable Red, and Statement Red standing to attention by the counter. We were having a mighty fine gossip, and making bets about which one of us gals would be whisked away first, oh by one of those elegant ladies you know, who frequented the store.

There were a variety of them fine dames, and loaded too! They like to come by for some beauty treatments, and purchase cosmetics — why of course! Cherry Blaze, who I don’t often see, seeing as she lives further up the counter, eagerly told me that some of the richest ladies in the city have treatments here, at the spa. This is where all us redheads arrive—The Red Door Spa & Salon, on Fifth Avenue, owned by the wonderful Ms Elizabeth Arden; a lady would you believe! Few ladies own anything around here!

Living Coral, turned up a little later that day and brazenly joined in on our conversation, would you believe it!! We got to start arguing about who was the best redhead, but I knew I won hands down. I got real salty with them: “I’m the cat’s pyjamas— seeing as they named me after this swell joint, you chumps!” Ms Arden is mighty generous, as she got to create all of us creams and mattes, being that she believes every gal has the right to be beautiful. I guess we need some rights and all, seeing that we ain’t got any other rights around this town!

I said to the gals that I boost women’s confidence with my red looks, and that I'm courageous and brave! I know I was created to give those sweet ladies boldness, maybe even a little of desirability — you know what I’m saying, don’t cha! Remarkable Red and Real Red started to get jealous, making me blush as red as a beetroot; talk about a red flag to a bull!

I wasn’t going to give in, particularly to Living Coral, who isn’t even a real red! I was feeling the squeeze trying to prove my symbolic nature of rebellion, but my jacket was tad tight — being that it was mighty hot in the salon that day. All those fine beauty treatments were creating so much steam. But beauty is our duty.

But beauty is our duty

We carried on like this until the afternoon. The finest of ladies were venturing in, and crawling their plump diamond fingers all over us gals. Statement Red and Victory Red disappeared after some of them ladies left, and more reds turned up as quick as a flash.

Round about 3 pm it started to get mighty crazy out in the street, I tell you. We gals were stretching our necks and all, but we were just too petite, why of course. By a stroke of luck, Ms Arden started to chat rapidly from the excitement. She was instructing her ladies to grab as many of us as possible, “Girls, grab all of those reds for me, I’m joining the Suffrage’s procession — they are heading towards Carnegie Hall!”

Shoot, I can hear marching

And so that’s how I ended up with the lovely lady who owns me now. Ms Arden was handing out all of us reds, no matter the persuasion. This lady on horseback grabbed me, and I felt myself being victoriously painted over her perfect cupid’s bow.

I could hear the huge crowd of ladies chattering among themselves as they marched along Fifth Avenue. Things like —how us reds intimidate the men — even some stale old gals, the system, and the old paradigm. I could sense how eager they were to change it all. And WOW — I gave them ALL a ton of courage. I was the bee’s knees, painting the morale all lively, among those thousands of marchers.

I was their symbol of liberation — what a mighty fine honour! I felt mighty privileged. Those gals aim to defy social expectations, and I know they will. I overheard some drably sidewalk hecklers, so I guess, it was kind of important what them fine ladies were doing. The parade was a peaceful one, with no anger on anyone’s lips — just us reds haha, as we ended up in torchlight at Carnegie Hall. Those Suffrages are just dandy!

Us reds gained so much popularity — why even Emmeline Pankhurst from England, started getting her gals to wear us reds. We've become mighty symbolic across the pond. I am proud of how we brim with confidence, and I am not ashamed to admit it. I am helping win a referendum here, no time for bad eggs.

The End

Elizabeth Arden marched down Fifth Avenue to support women’s voting rights, handing out red lipstick to fellow suffragettes as a symbol of solidarity.

“I only want people around me who can do the impossible.” —Elizabeth Arden

© Chantal Weiss 2025. All Rights Reserved