A new calendar featuring local women is circulating around Rome. And it’s sure to get a few stares.

There’s nothing scandalous or lewd about it, however. This quirky two-year calendar features the feet and shoes of Romel women who have battled or are battling cancer, and proceeds from sales go to the American Cancer Society.

The idea for the unusual calendar was the brainchild of cancer survivor Beth Erwin.

“Walking down the path of life, we all have different shoes we wear,” she writes on the first page of the calendar. “Some shoes are for running, some shoes are for comfort or support. ….. As survivors, we were given a different path to walk for a while, with a different pair of shoes to wear. Some days we don’t want to even wear our shoes….. I hope this calendar will encourage you each day to keep walking… whatever path you’re on, whatever shoes you wear.”

The 24 women featured in the calendar are all Rome residents and range in age from early 30s to mid 70s. They represent a wide cross section of society. They represent different cancers and they represent different stages of recovery.

“Some of the women have been cancer free for years,” said Ginger Palmer, who along with Kim Dillingham did much of the work to put the calendar together. “Some of the women are battling cancer right now. And one recently lost her battle with cancer.”

The models were told to choose shoes that were special to them in some way, Dillingham said. 

Jennifer Almand photographed the women and their shoes, all at downtown locations. The photographs feature women wearing cowboy boots, sexy black pumps, sparkly TOMs, pretty pink flip flops and even some dazzling red heels.

The two-year calendars sell for $20 each and are available for purchase at Coosa Valley Credit Union on Redmond Road, Bryant Motors on Shorter Avenue, Dirt Town Deli on U.S. Hwy 27, Image Makers on Dean Avenue and at Imagine Hair Studio and Art Gallery Lounge on Broad Street.

Calendars are also available by calling Kim Dillingham at 706-506-7678, Ginger Palmer at 706-766-4008 and Jennifer Almand at 706-346-1590.