Grant County women bare all to raise money for hospital

By The Associated Press

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That includes disrobing.

Trantham was one of a dozen Grant County women to pose in the buff for a calendar to raise money for the McKay Healthcare and Rehab Center. The hospital hopes to use the money to help pay back a $750,000 county debt, and maybe to throw a celebration for those born at McKay.

"I have worked for McKay for five years and think it's a great hospital, and I would do anything for it," Trantham, a nurse and massage therapist, told the Columbia Basin Herald.

Inside the Las Brisas Art Center, the 12 women posed with stage props ranging from feather boas to beer paraphernalia and wine bottles.

"The idea for the calendar originated during a brainstorming session among a group of us that got together and decided 'yeah, we can do this,"' said Mary Ackerman, president of the hospital's board of commissioners.

For some of the women, the decision to pose was simple: They wanted to show support for cancer survivors and their community hospital.

Others had to overcome some preconceptions.

"I didn't even tell my family I'm doing this," said Judith Tramayne-Barth.

Photographer Pete Rice, who has spent a lifetime taking pictures, said this photo shoot has been unlike anything he has ever done before.

"Some of the women are quite shy to start with and others more bold. Once they get comfortable they relax," Rice said.
 
All of the participants did sign a model release form agreeing to pose for the calendar.

Ackerman could not comment on how much the calendars will cost, but she did say about 200 calendars would be available at local businesses by the end of this year.

Would any of the women pose again?

"Sure, why not?" asked Becky Morris of Moses Lake. "What is the big deal with nudity anyway?"