The ‘why’ behind the calendar, as told by Tracey McAtamney

As Ladies First Director Tracey McAtamney headed into her 60th birthday year, she made a promise to herself – to do something both memorable and meaningful. And in the background to the former Coventry Carnival Queen’s milestone

celebrations with family and friends, this calendar project has been percolating. She’s also brought 39 plucky members of her networking group, aged between 19 and 80, in on the ‘act.’

Here she reveals a bit more of the ‘Why’ behind this passion project…

“Turning 60 is the heart of this charity calendar. This project is about caring for myself, inside and out, growing in confidence and choosing to live as the happiest, healthiest version of me.

“Our aim is to raise as much money as possible for charities close to our hearts, while also growing in confidence and putting ourselves out of our comfort zones. It’s not about trying to look younger, but honouring the women we are today.

“As women, many of us struggle with confidence and with feeling comfortable in our own skin. Too often, we are dissatisfied with how we look and measure ourselves against unrealistic expectations. Like many women, I’ve had moments of doubting myself and feeling the pressure of those unrealistic expectations. It’s easy to focus on what we think needs fixing instead of recognising our worth.

“More than anything, I hope it encourages other women to feel proud of themselves too - because we deserve to celebrate who we are right now.

“But every woman featured in this calendar has a personal story. They have experienced loss, emotional trauma, divorce, illness, the mental and physical demands of the menopause and the responsibility of caring for others. These experiences shape us, challenge us and ultimately define our strength. Each photo represents that unique story and serves as a celebration of resilience, individuality and everything that makes a woman extraordinary.

“Shooting the calendar was great fun. Over two days, we worked across 13 sets, with our fantastic photographers and production team creating the perfect scene for each month and the front cover. It was so uplifting to watch months of planning come to life as the lights went on, the cameras started rolling and the action began!

“My hope is that participating in this project – not least standing in front of the camera, will have built confidence and self-esteem. At the same time, it shines a light on issues women face and raises much-needed funds for the charities who support us throughout our lives.”