Gretchen's Basics 

Name: Gretchen
Birthday: November 11th, 1972
Height: 6'1" Location: USA

Hey there. I'm Gretchen. When I was young I hated being tall and I would slouch all the time. My grandmother and mother who are both tall would poke me in the back which forced me to stand up straight and proud.  Boys in school were generally to insecure to invite me to dances and I was glad because I was afraid that their head would be right in my chest.  I grew fast and was awkward but at age 17 a modelling agency picked me up which was great for my self-esteem.

I was in a gas station the other day and this real character of a guy was gawking at me and finally got up the courage to say, "Wow, you are really tall."  I wasn't in the mood and rudely shot back that maybe it was just that he was really short (which he was). He was devestated and I apologized right away. Clearly he was simply admiring my height but it does get old after awhile.  Another favorite story is when I was in a grocery store and this small child stopped dead in their tracks and pointed right at me and said, "Look Mommy, she's a giant!"  The mother was mortified but I just laughed and said that to him I probably did look like a giant.  She turned every shade of purple and red and orange that you can think of before apologizing profusely for her sons faux pas.

I like men who are confident and not bothered by my height. This one guy I went out with bought special boots that would make him as tall as me but I wanted to wear the 4 inch heels that matched my outfit so he was disappointed.  I can be intimidating to men because of my size and the fact that I am a Type A personality so they have to be superconfident and able to handle me.  If they can figure that out they've got it made because I am passionate, loyal, and a worthy companion.  The most important thing to me is that they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are active in their church in some type of regular service or leadership capacity. If any of you single guys out their think you fit this criteria and are seriously interested the go to  www.facebook.com/tallartist and send me a message. I look forward to hearing from you and God Bless!

Have a great day Gretchen

Name: Sarah
Birthday: August 27th, 1983
Height: 6'0"
Location: France

Hello to all!

While growing up I remember watching the class pictures at school and being a head over everyone else. LOL. It didn't bother me when I was a kid. At 12, I was taller than my nanny (5'0") LOL

When I was a teenager, it started to bother me a little cause it was hard for me to find stylish clothes fitting me (I grew up in France and I was the tallest girl in my town), especially pants, so I ended up in dresses and skirts all the time... Even in Winter... I didn't wear heels for different reasons:

• I was even taller and didnt want to look like a giant (and I was a bit overweight, so I was a big girl and didn't like it)
• I couldn't find my size in the models I liked (size 11)
• High heels were killing my feet cause all my weight was on the front of the feet, I couldnt stand them for more than an hour. And mostly sold either very high heels or flat shoes... :(

So I dressed like **** for a while, often wearing sneakers, and not being the best dressed girl in the club... It also was a problem to date guys. I like to feel comforted and protected by guys so I like them to be as tall as me, a bit taller is ideal, and strong, not all skinny, but better normally built or in shape. I stayed single for a while (a long while).

I then decided to move away (England) for a while, and I gained some confidence cause I also lost some weight, and I didn't look chubby and tall anymore. I looked tall and beautiful!

After another 2 years I moved to Florida (I have been living here for over 3 years now) and I can tell that my height is a positive point here! Everyone is SO short (from south America for most) and look at me like I'm a giant :)

What remarks do I get ?

• Wow, you are so tall (Yeah, I know)
• You are beautiful ! (Thank you!)
• How tall are you ? (6'0")
• Do you play basketball ? (Nope!)
• Do you play any sports ? (Nope!)
• Is your family tall ? (Stupid question! Yes, they are - dad is 6'0", sister 6'0", mom 5'10", uncle 6'7" etc...)
• Do you like shorter guys ? (Not really)
• It might be hard to find a boyfriend ! (You have no idea!)
• etc...

And it's funny cause the first thing people do when they see me, is looking at my feet! (I believe it's to see if I am wearing heels) and most of the time I wear flip flops cause I live in Florida and it's always warm here, so they are like "oh yeah, you are really tall" and if I am out with little heels, they are like "Oh yeah, you are tall but it's because you have heels...". I then answer that even without heels I'm super tall :)

I have no more issues with finding boyfriends. I like tall guys - it's a fact but I have dated some guys who were 5'9" or 5'10"... (I agree - it looked kinda ridiculous but I didn't care!)

But now I love when people look at me, cause I can feel they are mostly envious :) When I walk in the street, I walk with back and shoulders straight, head up, and smiling. I am very confident, and whenever I walk into a place, people SEE me, and pay attention... here most people remember me as "the tall French girl". LOL. I am very happy with my height now and I wouldn't like to be an inch shorter!!! I wish they would just make more fashionable clothing and shoes for us! (but thanks to your website I can now shop better!!! Thank you!!! ). And I wish my feet didn't hurt when I wear high, high heels...

To all the tall women of this world: We have been given a unique gift... and we should make something out of it! Don't be ashamed! You are tall and beautiful... And if people look at you weirdly in the street or something, just smile back at them... They aren't worth you wasting your time! 

P.S.: The first picture is with my friend Jorge (5'9" or 5'10"), the last picture was taken 2 years ago when I surprised my family at my mom's 50th birthday party in France (I just showed up out of nowhere... well, actually from Florida :) ) and everybody was happily crying! Here are my 2 sisters (weirdly the young one is as tall as me, while the oldest is only 5'7"), my Mom and myself. 

Bisous a toutes !!!
Sarah

April 2011 update 

I moved back to France for the summer 2010 for vacations and see family. I met a guy I dated for a few weeks about 10 years ago. We got together and I now moved back in October 2010. We are happily living together in Southern France, and we are expecting a baby boy in September! A Happy Ending!

Name: Karen
Birthday:
Height: 6'0"
Location: USA, originally from the Ivory Coast

Hello, my name is Karen. I sincerely believe that Tall is gorgeous. Yes, I know the kind of scrutiny WE tall women can receive from the public because of the fact that we may be different from the average in that specific area. However, I believe that people's view of us revolved around how we carry and portray ourselves. Hence, we must as well embrace who we are and have fun with it!

I am a 6ft tall woman now. And have quite taking advantage of my height to do so many things like modeling, doing beauty pageants, being an influential personality in my community. I was chosen Miss Ivory Coast USA 2012 and going for Miss Africa USA 2013. Hence, I really did put myself out there and tried not to let my height and the public scrutiny slow me down. I basically turned what could be criticized into an opportunity. I cannot recall either any bad memory of my social interaction with people because of my height growing up. In the contrary, my height made me stand up from the crowd and I was successful both socially and relationship wise.

I must say though, I encountered difficulties having peace with myself in my early dating life because of my height. I never wanted a shorter man. For me looking literally down at my man was a weakness from his part; he should be strong and when I hug him I should feel protected, which I did not feel from a shorter man. Funny enough, I never wanted a taller man either because I did not want giant babies lol. So I had those battles to overcome and realized that what matter is really a man that treats me right. Plus, I think those things are just superficial things. What is important for me is the impact I make in society. And just knowing that God created me and think I am beautiful is enough for me to focus rather on most important stuff.

I can go on and on sharing my experience as a Tall woman and the public reaction to that. But I will stop here by advising you to be comfortable in your own skin, to take care of your body, your health and CHOSE to be gorgeous ladies!

Check out my website for more information about me, the impact I have in my community, and my beauty pageant.

And please if you get a chance click on this link and then on the 5 stars of my profile for me to win the Miss Africa USA competitionI am in

Thank you and all the best
Karen

Fredrica, 6'1"

Hi, my name is Fredrica. I am 32, 6'1". I love being tall.

When I turnt 12 years old I was wearing a size 12 shoe. I sprouted so quick my family was in shock cause I was busting out of my shoes and clothes which was a problem because we were a very low income family and my grandmother was taking care of us due to our father being in prison and mother being a addict. So I had to go to school with holes in my shoes.

So I was teased a lot about my height and my attire. Girls used to jump me after school or want to fight me because of my height, no other reason because I was a very shy person, I'm still shy to this day (quiet giant). That's way i love my family because they never let me feel down about my height.

Anyways I was born in savannah, so we walked everywhere. Me and my aunt would walk places and they would think I was the mom and she was the daughter. I was fully developed at the age of 13 and very smart, I did not act like a teenager. I am the tallest person in my family on my grandmother side of the family, thanks to my dad who I believe is 6'4. All the women are 5'7 and under. My mom is 5'5 or 5'4. The male are 5'9 and under. So it's funny when we have family functions and there are people who haven't seen me since I was a teenager.

I live in Atlanta now. As an adult I love it even more, I love wearing heels, and I love my long legs. Thank god my upper body is a great length as well. Everywhere I go people stare, I think it's funny still. The looks on their faces are hilarious especially when I'm in heels! I'm truly happy I found your site it's a blessing. The only place I had to go for dress-up shoes was payless, I'm a payless fan! Im glad you guys have found sites for shoes and clothes.

Thank you for putting this together! I will spread the word!

Updated: January 5, 2017 - 11:37 AM EST

by Jenice Armstrong, Daily News Columnist @JeniceArmstrong

For us tall women, the struggle is real. Clothes don't fit right. Strangers on the street say the most idiotic things to you, every single day. You're expected to sit in the back.

So I'm not completely surprised that a principal dancer for the Pennsylvania Ballet was fired because of her height.

Sara Michelle Murawski, most recently the Sugar Plum Fairy in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, has been cut from the company's roster for the upcoming season because she's too tall.

Yes, you read that correctly.

And at 6-foot-2, I'm taking it personally.

She's only 5-11 - a bit taller when she's standing en pointe — but still, Murawski's beautiful limbs were considered too elongated. Her one-year contract will not be renewed.

That stinks, because Murawski left a job she loved as a soloist at the Slovak National Ballet to come all the way to Philadelphia to perform. Needless to say, she's devastated.

"It should be about the dance. That's what I was always told," Murawski said sadly Wednesday evening when I reached her by telephone. "Just to be told that it's your height, that's disheartening."

"They said it's a budget problem and they can't get a tall male," as her dance partner, she added.

She'd just performed the starring role in The Nutcracker the previous night, when she wascalled aside and told the devastating news — less than an hour before she was scheduled to perform again. She broke down in tears, but had to pull herself together.

"It came absolutely out of nowhere," said Michelene Murawski of Philadelphia, Sara's mother, so stressed by the firing that she's become ill.

Her daughter's biological father is 6-feet-4-inches tall, and Michelene knew early on that Sara would be tall. She tried getting her daughter into basketball, but Sara fell madly in love with dance. She was doing ballet in her sleep.

In the dance world, Murawski is what they call a "bunhead." (I heard her refer to herself that way, so I'm not out of line.) She knew early on that it would be harder for her than for other dancers, so she poured all of her energy into being the best.

"I always have to be so much better in order to be accepted," she told me. "In Russia, they love it.... They think this is the ideal for a ballerina, that you have long limbs on the stage. In America, it's very different."

Murawski's dancing abilities don't appear to be in question. So if ballet officials had an issue with a tall dancer, why woo her here? Now that she's finally here and performing beautifully, she gets a hard toe shoe up her backside, because they apparently don't like the idea of a tall female looming over shorter male dancers.

When Americans go to the ballet or to any other artistic performance, we expect to see this great nation reflected on the stage. That means performers of all sizes, races, ages. The only criterion should be whether they can perform. Yo, it's 2017. I shouldn't have to point this out.

David Gray, the Ballet's executive director, tried to defend the company's action in a statement: "Building a world class ballet company is similar to building a world class sports team. Just as there are excellent athletes whose careers are better fulfilled at one team than another, there are excellent dancers who will better fulfill their potential at different companies. Just as a coach must make difficult decisions that they feel are in the best interests of the team, so does an Artistic Director."

But coaches judge players on athletic ability. Not on appearance.

The company should get taller male dancers if officials are hung up on the outdated notion that a man is supposed to be taller than his female partner. How many celebrity examples have we seen lately in which the female is considerably taller? Comedian Kevin Hart and his gorgeous bride Eniko come to mind. First Lady Michelle Obama stands eye-to-eye with President Obama when she's in heels.

The way Murawski is being treated reminds me of African American ballerinas historically denied opportunities because of their skin color or the size of their posteriors.

"Dancers of color have gone through that and are still going through that every single day," said Kim Bears-Bailey, assistant artistic director of Philadanco, founded in 1970 to create opportunities for black dancers. "Sara will get another job.... But what about the women of color who don't even get in the room?"

A friend of Murawski's put together a GoFundMe account [https://www.gofundme.com/season-pay-for-philly-ballet-couple] to raise $100,000 to keep her in Philadelphia and to help the company hire a tall male dancer to partner with her.

Please be generous. Talent knows no shape, size, or hue.

@JeniceArmstrong
Blog: ph.ly/HeyJen
armstrj@phillynews.com

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I use this section to remember my good friend Ashley Britt who died November 1st 2015

I first started talking to Ashley back in March of 2007 when she filled out the Tallwomen.org Questionnaire. I thought long and hard about whether or not I should be publishing this, but I think it helps to explain what kind of person Ashley was. Please learn more about Ashley by visiting the pages below:

By Harold Gutmann | Apr 9, 2015
Special to espnW

It all finally got to be too much, so Nancy Mulkey sat down. Right there on the spattered sidewalk in San Antonio.

Gawking bystanders were taking pictures of the 17-year-old kid because -- sure as her name is Nancy -- she stands 6 feet, 9 inches tall. So if even for just 10 minutes, before heading off to her next destination down the road, Mulkey needed a break, an escape from the scrutiny of all these strangers.

It was the kind of experience that, believe it or not, is relatively routine for Mulkey -- for tall women everywhere -- and Mulkey says that San Antonio scene could be included in an upcoming TLC show featuring Mulkey that is scheduled to air in August. It is tentatively titled "My Giant Life."

Mulkey, who has been pushing 6-10 since a nine-inch growth spurt before her freshman year in high school, is still sometimes annoyed by the gawking, but she's also become more confident about her stature. Success has a way of doing that.

"I'm not as shy about my height," said Mulkey, who just polished off her junior season at Cypress Woods (Texas) with a girls' basketball state title. "I strut more. I'm not slouching as much. I want to stand tall."

And a big reason for her transformation, Mulkey said, has been basketball. The Oklahoma-bound junior post player is the No. 21 prospect in the espnW HoopGurlz Super 60 for the Class of 2016. She has agility, good hands and an emerging midrange game. On defense, she's a dangerous shot-blocker who alters opponents' offenses merely by her presence.

"When you're a tall female and a teenager, that can be awkward at times, but what has really catapulted Nancy to a place of confidence has been her ability to do well on the basketball court," Cypress Woods coach Virginia Flores said. "When she walks the hall in our school, there's a sense of respect and even reverence for what she's been able to bring to our basketball program, and of course that's a confidence-booster for Nancy, and in turn it's made her hungrier and want to improve her game even more."

When the producers of the TLC documentary were looking for potential subjects, they typed "tall women" into an Internet search engine and found Mulkey.

After an audition with a producer over Skype, Mulkey was chosen as one of four subjects for the series, which is scheduled to air over four hours in August. She did not get paid and she received notification from the NCAA that appearing on the show would not jeopardize her eligibility.

The television show is meant to document the day-to-day hardships for tall women, such as finding clothes that fit (Mulkey was filmed trying on prom dresses) and dealing with constant -- and oftentimes uncomfortable -- attention.

The series will cap a whirlwind junior year for Mulkey. She gave a verbal commitment to Oklahoma in October and then averaged 10.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 blocks as Cypress Woods won its first state championship in program history in Class 6A, the highest classification in the state.

"I didn't plan on committing this early, but people say, 'When you know, you know,' " said Mulkey, who plans to major in special education.

Mulkey was guided through the process by her mother, 6-foot-7 Dolores Bootz-Mulkey, who starred for Georgia Tech from 1985 to 1988 and still holds the school records for career scoring average (18.9 points per game), field goal percentage (.593) and blocked shots (245).

Mulkey, who started playing basketball in third grade, had initially told the Sooners that she wasn't interested, and Oklahoma wasn't included on her list of finalists. But Sooners coach Sherri Coale called Dolores and convinced the Mulkeys to visit campus.

When Nancy got there, she felt a welcoming atmosphere she didn't get from other schools.

"Usually when recruits go on visits, some players at certain schools don't really associate with certain recruits," Mulkey said. "The Oklahoma players devoted their whole weekend just to me. That meant a lot to me, and I felt really comfortable with them. I was there one day and I didn't want to leave."

Then came a historic season for Cypress Woods. Mulkey said a loss in the state tournament last year to Manvel and future Notre Dame standout Brianna Turner helped prepare the Wildcats for their first state championship this season.

"That showed us what we needed to work on and how we needed to play to win states," said Mulkey, who averaged more than 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocks per game and was an all-state selection by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.

After winning gold medals on Team USA in each of the past two summers -- first at the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and then at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship -- Mulkey is now hoping for an invitation to the U19 tryouts next month.

"Her playing with the USA team the last two summers has really elevated her game," Flores said. "When you're around other people who are around your height, that can push you in a way that maybe your own high school teammates can't and made her step up her game."

Spending another summer with Team USA would be an ideal finish for a big year in the spotlight for Mulkey, who found her future school, won a state title and will be featured on national television -- perhaps even that sidewalk scene in downtown San Antonio.

"It's been tough for her at times to be 6-9," Flores said. "When we first get to a tournament, people aren't familiar with her and they're staring and gawking. When she was a freshman that was hard for her to take in, but now she embraces that. She's like, 'Yeah, I'm 6-9 and I'm pretty darn good.'

"She now looks at it as a sign of respect."

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At 75, Carol Mann’s legacy is more than a 'tall tale'

By Cliff Schrock

When nature and genetics conspire to put a person in a unique situation, the question is whether the individual can make something of it or let it be a distraction in life. Such was Carol Mann’s predicament. The most accomplished tall player in women’s golf, the 6-foot-3 Mann took on every cliché-filled golf story about “tall Carol” who “strikes a giant figure” as “the lankiest golfer on the LPGA” and “sees life and golf from a different perspective” and made a memorable Hall of Fame career out of it.

With Mann having turned 75 on Feb. 3, it’s a good time to review a career that produced 38 LPGA Tour victories and the 1965 U.S. Women’s Open. Mann could have written many of those golf stories herself. An opinionated player who made her thoughts known and who served as LPGA president and vice president for many years during her playing prime, she also has done guest-column writing since her career wound down, including with the Houston Post starting in 1990.

That was 10 years after the final tour event of her playing career, which had begun in earnest as a teenager in Chicago with a membership at Olympia Fields. Early on, Mann wasn’t entirely comfortable with her extra height, and early in her career admitted to being self-conscious, awkward and shy. But the oft-used phrase “comfortable in her own skin” did eventually apply, and she won her first tour event, the Women’s Western Open, in 1964 at age 23. As she matured, her comfort level went up. In 1971, LPGA player and teacher DeDe Owens described Mann as “so bubbly, so friendly with a big warm smile for everyone. She has a good, inquiring mind and a sharp wit.”

Mann won four events in 1975, but they were to be her last. She couldn’t overcome the toll of being involved in tour politics and working hard to make the modern LPGA Tour a success. Exhaustion and a tall person’s worst enemy—chronic back pain—worked against her. She had previously had serious neck and back troubles dating back to 1967, and had been told in 1969 not to play competitive golf for more than two or three years because of her back. In 1981 she tried to transition from a tall person’s high-handed, arching swing motion to a shortened, hold-the-angles movement but she didn’t excel with it.

Including her writing, Mann’s post career included work with the Women’s Sports Foundation, expanded teaching to a busier career at The Woodlands in Houston, an ambassador and special consultant to the World Golf Hall of Fame, a TV analyst, and she ran the first woman-owned course design and management firm.

In 1969, at the apex of her tour success, Mann had fun with her height and, feeling she resembled a giraffe, adopted the animal as her symbol, having it printed on business cards. But better labels were to come: 1976 recipient of the Babe Zaharias Award, the 2008 PGA First Lady of Golf, and inclusion in a ranking of the “100 Heroes of American Golf.”

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Stephanie's Basics

Height: 6'1''
Birthday: August 6th 1989
Location: USA

Hello!!! My name is Stephanie and I am from the United States. I am 17 and I am going 18 in August I am 6'1"!!! I love my height!!! As a kid I was a little hesitant but I then loved it!! Kids would call me giant all the time but then I would just look at them and say "Well, at least I get to ride the big rides"!

Then when I got into high school i started to feel more normal. It was hard to find a boyfriend. I dated many guys shorter than me but then I finally said no, it's time to date guys taller then me! Now I'm having the time of my life with my great height. So many people automatically think that I play basketball because of my height but I don't. I just don't have the coordination for it, haha!!! But I am on the track team. I am a thrower. I throw Javeline, Discus and Shotput.

Being tall is a great advantage and I use it well!!! I love it because I look older then I really am and people respect me for it. I tend to think that with my height it made me grow up faster. But i love it!! I love all of me!!! Thank you so much for making a website like this!!! May all the tall women and girls know that there are so many other people like them out there and that we are all here for everyone!! Dont let those little kids make fun of you keep your head up because as long as you know that you are beautiful that is all that matters!! God made you special to be that tall!!

Lots of love
The Great Giant Stephanie

Linnette's Basics

Name: Linnette
Birthday: May 28th 1968
Height: 5'10"
Location: United States

When I started liking boys, I became very uncomfortable with my height because all I would attract was short boys. Then my Daddy told me that shorter guys know how to appreciate taller women. As I got older, I learn to love myself first; every inch of my 5' 10" frame was worth my confidence and hey, if God is pleased, so am I.

I remember shorter girls would tease me alot. I've been call everything from the Jolly Black Giant to Goofy. Well, one day, one of those short girls got herself in a mess she just couldn't get herself out of and guess who she turned to for help. She was the meanest out of all the short girls who teased me and she wanted my help. You may think this is very selfish and petty of me, but I was 13yrs old and just a little over 5' 8" tall and I just sat there and watch her get annilated (she really wasn't hurt too bad). Needless to say, she never teased me again and I sort of made sure she stayed out of trouble. I wonder what she doing now! Anyway, I wasn't a Christian then, but now that I am, there's not much I can do about my past but I can thank God daily for my height. I walk as confident now than I have ever did. I love the way I look, I love the way, I love the way I stand because I stand tall for Christ Jesus and no one, short or tall, is going to take that from me.

I don't live in the same neighborhood I grew up in; however, I do get more compliments about height than stares. And those who stare at me are short men wondering how to approach me (I think that's so cute!!).

The kind of man I like has to be a Christian. A God-fearing, honest, loyal, real man (no dogs, please! I have had enough of them!)! I'm going to be honest, I do prefer that he is at least over 6' tall (I sure would rather look up than down); however, my height would be the lowest I would consider. I like him to be very funny, b/c I love laughter; hard-working, and if he has children, he has to be a good father to his kids (and no 'baby mama drama' please), constantly growing in his walk with Christ, education, communication, economics, and social skills. I DO NOT LIKE DEAD WEIGHT!!!! He has to be adventuruous, spontaneous; yet a good organizer. And I would prefer for him to be the man in the relationship. I don't mind changing a flat tire, fixing a leaking pipe or even barbequing on the grill, but man can a sista just be a lady for once. Just keepin' it real, don't hate! I also, like the kind of man, that just loves to do whatever it takes to keep me happy. You know, that kind of man that is not so caught up in hisself that he forgets that he's with someone. The kind of brotha that knows how to love of sista just right!! :-)

Well, that's all I got for ya. I'm out!! 

I holla...
~L~

Maureen's Basics

Name: Maureen
Birthday: January 23rd, 1959
Height: 5'11 1/2" Location: USA

I've adored being tall all my life! I remember being taller than all the boys - well, just about all my classmates - in elementary school. My mother, who is about 5'4", immediately enrolled me in ballet class, knowing it would help with my self-esteem and teach me how to carry my body proudly. Always ready with a loving "Maureen, sit up straight!", I learned early on that being a tall woman was something special.

Ever since I shot up 5 inches in my 12th summer, having height has been a wonderful blessing for me. I began to feel much more confident and signed up for modeling school, doing amateur shows for local boutiques and department stores. I cherish those memories, and whenever I see a tall young woman, I tell her, "Be proud of your height, it's a wonderful thing!".

My husband, Chris, and I are retired and live in the beautiful high country of northern Arizona. We love to hike, bike, kayak and target shoot (hence the photo). I love to garden, cook and take classes at our local college. I also love searching out the best places to buy clothes for my tall frame - a favorite is oldnavy.com as they carry a 36-inch inseam in jeans, and shirts and sweaters with extra-long arms. Plus, I LOVE wearing heels!

Thank you, Joerg, for creating this website - and for the honor of being the August 2010 Tall Woman of the Month!

Love & hugs, Mo xoxoxoxo

Name: Tanja
Birthday: March 29th
Height: 6'1 1/2"
Location: Germany

Hi... my name is Tanja, I am 6'1 1/2". I am 42 years old and I grew up a military brat. I live in Germany and I am happy to report life is good. I was always the tall kid in class and until right before I entered high school kids were cruel. I guess at a young age so many kids want to be accepted into a few select groups instead of enjoying the uniqueness of many. I played basketball and volleyball in high school and at minimum I was finally accepted as an athlete. Let me tell you... I was horrible at volleyball and still made varsity. My height was paying off. LOL!!!!

As I started getting older I realized it was to exhausting worrying about if people liked me and accepted me. It doesn't bother me anymore... I love who I am and it's beautiful being different. I use to get asked "how tall are you?", "do you play basketball?", "do you model?" or the most hated statement, "damn, you're tall!" Overall I believe people have good intentions and are fascinated by my height so when they ask I smile and answer their question. Their responses are always positive. I have noticed in the last few years people don't ask me about my height like they use too. Are times changing? I don't know. Either way I love filling a room when I walk in and the eyes are on me. It took me a long time to feel this way and inside I am a happier girl :-)

I have been very career focused and successful in reaching my professional goals. Last year I finally purchased my first home and let me tell you yard work is hard!!! Nobody warned me!! Overall I am very happy with my achievements and I am now focusing on myself and one day a family of my own.

I like a confident man who loves to laugh, is spontaneous and sees the positive in all people. In my younger days I didn't like dating a shorter guy but I finally realized since I wanted to be accepted for me then I should do the same for others.

I have been enjoying this website for several years now and I love reading about the life experiences of other tall ladies. Thank you for developing a "one stop shop" experience for special ladies of the world and this opportunity to be the "Tall Woman of the Month"

Sincerely
Tanja

Name: Brooke
Birthday: July 7th 1975
Height: 5'10 3/4"
Location: USA

My name is Brooke Smith. I am 34, born 7/7/75 and from USA. I have two sons; Drake, 7 and and Cole, 10. They keep me busy with all of their sports and school activities.

Growing up I of course wanted to be shorter. I am very close to 5'11". I had a steady boyfriend through highschool. We began dating when I was in 8th grade and continued through highschool. When we started dating we were the same height. Little did I know that he was done growing and I was just starting. We must have been around 5'6" or so. As I grew I began playing volleyball, basketball and excelled the most in track. I still run til this day. In highschool I was alittle leary about my height and never wore heals. Now, that is all I wear. I love being tall. My entire family did not take after my grandfather, who was 6'2 and married my grandmother; who was 4'11". The tallest is 5'9".

Of course, comments are always said to me: "Brooke is a tall glass of water." My legs are always commented on and of course, family pictures, I am definetely noticed. Guy's have always looked at me. I think they were looking in a positive way and they still do. I always wear heals and people comment about being taller than I actually am. I love it. I think it enhances my height. This took me a long time to notice that I can wear heals and feel good about myself. I love watching runway modeling and the clothes they wear. Boots are my favorite. I like myself and if a guy doesn't like me for who I am than I don't need him. This took me years to find out. But I am who I am and being tall is part of me. Take it or leave it.

Thank you
Brooke Smith

Australia's tallest female basketballer Sue Geh inducted into ACT Sport Hall of Fame

November 20, 2015

Chris Dutton, Sports Reporter at The Canberra Times

She was the gentle 206-centimetre giant who stood out because of her height, but ACT Sport Hall of Fame inductee Sue Geh helped build a legacy for women's basketball in Canberra.

Seventeen years after the Olympian died from heart failure, Geh will be one of nine athletes and officials added to the Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Monday.

Geh will be inducted alongside retired Sydney Swans champion Craig Bolton, lawn bowler Adam Jeffery, Paralympian Lisa Llorens and multi para-sports star Michael Milton.

Former Canberra Raiders chairman John McIntyre, Brumbies president Geoff Larkham, hockey administrator Graham Carter and para-athletics coach Chris Nunn will be honoured as associate members.

Geh's recognition comes with a touching twist. Officials sent a letter to Geh's mum Inge and it arrived just days before Inge died earlier this month.

Geh's career was cut short by knee injuries, a potential stint with the University of Alabama Birmingham was thwarted by a heart murmur and Mafran Syndrome led to her death after her 39th birthday in 1998.

She remains the tallest player to have represented the Australian Opals. She scored 69 points in an ACT premier division match and helped the Capitals gain entry into the WNBL.

"In those days [1985] she was unique because there weren't that many tall players, she certainly was intimidating because she altered shots and was athletic enough to get up and down the floor," said former coach Jerry Lee.

"She was a super person and you couldn't ask for an easier person to coach.

"Most of the centres for Australia were six-feet one, two or three. She was six-foot nine. There weren't many that could match her height."

Sport and Recreation has taken over Hall of Fame operations after ACT Sport was disbanded in July after more than 30 years.

Geh left her mark on courts around Canberra, dominating opponents after a coach plucked a then towering nine-year-old off the sideline and added her into an under-14s team.

Geh was the tallest female player in the world and was poised to play in the US, but a medical examination revealed a heart murmur. She was prepared to sign a waiver to absolve the university of any responsibility but Alabama Birmingham officials weren't willing to let her play and sent her back to Australia.

Geh was then picked up by the AIS and made her Opals debut, playing a pivotal role at getting Australia's first Olympic Games win.

She scored 10 points, had four assists, blocked three shots and grabbed three rebounds as Australia beat Yugoslavia.

"If it wasn't for [Geh] and Jenny Cheesman and that Canberra team that won 19 straight games [in the Women's Basketball Conference], the Capitals wouldn't be in the WNBL," Lee said.

"Sue and Jenny were probably the reason we stepped from division two into the WNBL. Sue passed away at a young age and she was frail. She was long and lanky, but certainly had it."

Former Basketball ACT general manager Brian Franklin spoke at Inge's funeral on Friday and will accept Geh's award on Monday alongside Errol Raiser.

"[Inge] was pretty pleased when she got the news and I understand she got the official letter [of Geh's award] three days before she died," Franklin said.

"[Geh's] height was the advantage, she was the tallest woman in Australia. She wasn't what you'd call a player with all the moves. But she was very effective and established her reputation in the game with a blinder at the 1984 Olympics."

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Basketball Great Anne Donovan Dies at 56

By Doug Doyle • 12 hours ago

Not only was Anne Donovan a legendary and pioneering figure in women's basketball, she was also one of the kindest and thoughtful people I have ever met. 

Donovan, a native of Ridgewood, New Jersey who dominated play at Paramus Catholic High school, won Olympic gold as a player and as a coach for the United States.  

Donovan died Wednesday of heart failure. She was 56.

Anne was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995 and also was part of the inaugural class of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.  I asked her back in a 2012 episode of SportsJam with Doug Doyle if the women’s hall meant more to her.

"Gosh, it's tough because of who I went into that class with.  I went in with all the people I admired, respected and looked up to from the first concept of women's basketball for me.  So, going into that class was very special with the company I went in with.  The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame was something I never aspired to, I just never thought that would be possible, and going in with Kareen Abdul-Jabbar and Cheryl Miller who was one of my peers, made that class very special also."

Donovan, a 6-foot-8 center coached at Seton Hall University and in the WNBA.  Why did she coach?

"I never aspired to be a coach even through college.  I played six years of professional basketball and didn't aspire to coach and kind of fell into it by chance . When my basketball player career came to an end, I got roped into being a volunteer coach, but I found that I really loved it.  I loved feeling like I could make a difference in these ladies lives and having gone through a pretty long career myself, I felt like I had something to offer."

To give you an example of the type of person Anne Donovan was, here's what she did for me when I was doing the PA announcing for her Seton Hall women's home games.  Each year she got the all the players on her team to sign a card for me, expressing their thanks for helping announce their games and being a part of the Pirates program.  That's class.  Who does that?

I told Anne during our 2012 interview that I first saw her when Old Dominion came to Penn State to play a big game that season.  I looked up and saw the tallest woman I had ever seen at that point.   I came to learn many years later, that her heart was actually bigger than her height.  She made me feel special and part of her squad.  I will never forget those games.

At Old Dominion, Donovan won an AIAW championship and lead ODU to the NCAA Women's Final Four as a senior.

Prior to her days coaching at Seton Hall, she had an terrific coaching career in the WNBA, becoming the first female coach and youngest person to win a title in the WNBA, helping the Seattle Storm to the 2004 championship.  She coached five WNBA teams including the New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun.

Donovan was named The Star-Ledger's Player of the Century in 2000.  She scored 1,000 points in a single twice at Paramus Catholic High School, won four state titles and was the nation's top recruit.  

Her family confirmed her death in a statement. "While it is extremely difficult to express how devastating it is to lose Anne, our family remains so very grateful to have been blessed with such a wonderful human being."

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By CHLOE LAMBERT FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 23:13 GMT, 11 May 2015 | UPDATED: 08:06 GMT, 12 May 2015

• Study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found shorter men have more sex
• Research suggests tall people are less likely to develop heart disease than short people
• Height may also be linked to our emotional state and taller people are happier

Being tall may come with practical problems, such as the lack of legroom on aeroplanes, but there are some perks, too. Last month, researchers at Ohio State University reported that tall people are, on average, cleverer and have better social skills. They said this could explain why studies in the past have found that tall people tend to earn more — as much as an extra £100,000 over a 30-year career. That study followed research showing tall people are less likely to develop heart disease than short people. In fact height is now attracting a great deal of attention as a predictor of future health, affecting your risk of a range of diseases, from dementia to stroke. But tallest isn't always healthiest . . .

DEMENTIA RISK HIGHER FOR SHORT PEOPLE

A number of studies suggest that height is linked to the risk of developing dementia. Perhaps the strongest evidence for this came from a study published last November in the British Journal of Psychiatry, which analysed data from 18 studies. The team found that men under 5ft 6in (167cm) had a 36 per cent higher risk of dementia than men over 5ft 10in (177cm). That doesn't mean being short causes dementia. Shorter height can be associated with certain pressures in early life, such as stress, illness or poor nutrition, which may predispose someone to dementia, says lead author Dr Tom Russ, lecturer in old age psychiatry at the University of Edinburgh.

He says early life stresses may affect a person's cognitive reserve — the brain's resistance to age-related damage. 'People think of dementia as a disease of old age, but this suggests you are accumulating risk factors throughout the course of your life.' But remember, the overall risk of dementia is low — about one in 20 over-65s are affected — so these increases in risk are relatively small.

HOW HEIGHT PROTECTS THE HEART

When it comes to heart health, the news for shorter people may not be great, either. It seems they may also be more prone to heart disease, according to research published last month by the University of Leicester. The researchers found a 5ft (153cm) tall person had a 32 per cent higher risk of heart disease than someone who is 5ft 6in (167cm). This association isn't new. Analysis of data from more than a million people, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology in 2012, found clear links between shortness and higher risk of dying from heart disease, stroke and heart failure. The latest research suggests the link is down to genes, rather than environmental factors such as diet. The team looked at 180 genetic variants that are known to control height, and found that those variants linked with shorter stature also had an effect on cholesterol, fat levels and overall heart disease risk. Another theory is that taller people have larger coronary vessels, 'which take longer to become blocked by fatty deposits', according to David Wormser, the epidemiologist who led the 2012 study. Height appears to be linked to our emotional state

CANCER MORE COMMON IN TALL PEOPLE

It's not all good news if you're tall, however. In 2013, Dr Geoffrey Kabat, an epidemiologist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the U.S., published research on post-menopausal women which found that for every additional 10cm of height, the risk of developing any cancer rose by 17 per cent. So compared with a woman of 5ft 5in, a woman of 5ft 9in would be that much more at risk said the researchers. The strongest associations between height and cancer were for melanoma (skin cancer), colon, uterus, kidney and thyroid. In another study in men, Dr Kabat found the risk of cancer rose by 5 per cent for every extra 10cm of height. Why would this be? Cancers are caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, and so factors that are associated with increased growth in childhood and adolescence may also affect the risk of cancer, he says. One theory is that tall people may have higher levels of a protein called insulin-like growth factor, or IGF, which is released in response to growth hormones and also seems to be linked to cancer. Another explanation is that taller people naturally have more cells overall because their organs are bigger. So the chance of one of these cells mutating is higher, says Dr Kabat. However, he stresses that the risks from height are small, and certainly lower than those of smoking, drinking too much and sun exposure. For example, being a smoker raises your risk of developing lung cancer by 2,000 per cent compared with someone who never smoked.

TALL WOMEN MORE LIKELY TO HAVE TWINS

A 2006 study in the U.S. comparing the heights of new mothers found that those who had twins or triplets were, on average, an inch taller than the national average. Dr Gary Steinman, an obstetrician at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, who led the research, said it may be down to IGF. He says one of its effects is to make the ovaries more sensitive to the follicle-stimulating hormone that triggers the ovaries to produce eggs. Heightened sensitivity to the hormone raises the chance of two eggs being produced per cycle, and, in turn, the chance of a multiple pregnancy. Previous studies have shown that shorter people have lower levels of IGF.

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Belfast mum Hollie McCutcheon bullies should be ashamed, funeral told

By Brett Campbell | June 21 2019

The school bullies whose nasty words ultimately led to the death of a young Belfast mum who suffered a heart attack on Saturday "should be ashamed of themselves", a clergyman has said.

Hundreds of mourners gathered in St Matthew's Parish on the Shankill Road to say goodbye to Hollie McCutcheon (27) yesterday, including her seven-year-old son Nathan and partner Chris.

Rev Campbell Dixon praised the loving family of the former Girls Model pupil, including her heartbroken parents Janet and Leslie, for the support they provided right up until Hollie lost her battle with eating disorders.

"Hollie was a tall girl with a solid physique who was subjected to bullying at school," he said.

"This led to her being hospitalised for anorexia and bulimia, but her mum, dad, brother Andrew and sister Hannah were her constant champions.

"Sadly on Saturday morning her heart couldn't take any more.

"The damage caused over so many years took its toll and she slipped away."

The clergyman said the middle child had enjoyed a happy life until she started secondary school where she encountered those "who caused her death far too early".

"Did those who made Hollie's life a misery as she entered her teenage years ever give one thought about what their nastiness would do to a well-balanced and happy child?" he asked.

"They should be ashamed of themselves."

Rev Dixon also had strong words for the person who started a rumour on social media falsely claiming that Hollie had taken her own life.

"Shame on you," he told them.

The clergyman then rubbished an old rhyme as he warned the congregation that calling someone names can hurt more than sticks and stones ever could.

"Words can cause terrible pain and bring about untold suffering," he added.

He told mourners Hollie managed to complete her GCSEs after being released from the Donard Unit of Knockbracken Healthcare Park before starting her first job in Costa Coffee. She then moved on to work for Value Cabs where romance blossomed when she met Sean. "The pair were overjoyed when Nathan was born a few years later," Rev Dixon said. "But Hollie never stopped fighting her demons. Her and Sean later broke up, but Nathan was the best thing that ever happened to her and he became a source of encouragement whenever her illness was too much to bear.

"Janet believes he was a wee Godsend because Nathan gave her something to live for."

The clergyman said Sean continued to be a huge source of support even after Hollie met her partner Chris, who doted on her.

Hollie's sister Hannah previously said the "very, very close" couple did everything together.

Those gathered in the church were told Hollie only "found her niche in life" two years ago when she started working as a carer.

"Hollie really loved her work and made great friends through it.

"She was a fun girl despite her debilitating illness and by all accounts she was the life and soul of the party who loved dancing and singing," Rev Dixon said.

This was evident from the slideshow of pictures which played throughout the service.

"But it was a tragic life in many ways," the clergyman continued.

"Here was a larger-than-life character who loved people, socialising, working and caring for those who needed help - but despite all appearances she was brought down into the depths of despair."

Dozens of Hollie's colleagues from Quality Care Services formed a guard of honour outside the church as her coffin was carried away. On the casket was a note from little Nathan who sobbed uncontrollably while following behind. "To Mummy, I love and miss you xxx," it read.

Loved ones tried desperately to console the youngster as his mum embarked on her final journey to Roselawn Crematorium.

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By MECHELLE VOEPEL via ESPN | Nov 16, 2016, 12:41 PM ET

ESPN the Magazine's Nov. 28 "Tall Ball" issue, which focuses on the varied aspects of height and sport, prompted us to ask around about #tallgirlproblems. Not to stereotype, but tall women often have some specific challenges that they deal with. But even the most annoying stuff wouldn't make any of the women we spoke with want to give up even an inch of their height.

It's just sometimes... hey, the next time you see a tall woman, please try to refrain from asking horrible corny stuff like "How's the weather up there?" All tall women thank you in advance.

Brianna Turner, 6-foot-3, Notre Dame forward

"It's mostly things like sleeves not being long enough. Or knee-high boots that are not knee-high at all on me. And I always say when we do push-ups it's harder if you are tall and have longer arms. Or doing pull-ups."

Alaina Coates, 6-4, South Carolina center

"My top pet peeve is finding jeans long enough. I'll just have to roll them up and make them look like they're supposed to be that way. So when it's really cold, my ankles will be freezing.

"You can shop online, but if they don't fit right, you have to send them back. And most of the time, I'm just like, 'Forget it.' "

Lisa Leslie, 6-5, former Los Angeles Sparks star and Naismith Hall of Famer

"I would say my No. 1 tall girl problem is that people have to ask me every day, 'Do you play basketball?' I've had people make comments about my height every day of my life. That can get annoying. I'm thankful for it; I used it. You don't go around commenting on someone's weight or size, so it's just really annoying. It's the kind of thing that people should just say to themselves: 'Wow, she's really tall.' But I don't need to be informed that I'm tall. I get it."

Tina Thompson, 6-2, WNBA's all-time scoring leader

"I've been blessed to be able to find clothes and shoes; for me that hasn't been that difficult. Probably the most annoying are the awkward, lame conversations and the clich? one-liners. Like, 'Is the view better up there?' What do you say to stuff like that?

"Just say hello, introduce yourself and let's move on to politics, sports, whatever you want to talk about. The lead-in with the tall-girl joke was very unnecessary."

Sylvia Fowles, 6-6, Minnesota Lynx, 2016 WNBA defensive player of the year

"A lot of jeans that come in longer lengths have flared legs. I hate flares. I hate wide legs. I feel like all tall-girl jeans should be skinny. So when I do find a pair I like that fits, I buy them in every color.

"If someone asks me the basketball question, I change it up. I say, 'Oh, actually I play water polo.' And nobody really wants to talk to me much about that."

Swin Cash, 6-2, just retired from New York Liberty

"Airplanes would be first. My jeans would be another. I get mad all the time, because jeans just aren't cut properly.

"Then there's the 'Tall guys like short girls, and vice versa'... that can be a tall girl problem.

"With the standard hotel-room shower, and you're trying to wash your hair, you have to maneuver around.

"You are always going to get asked if you play volleyball or basketball. And if you were to say that you didn't play sports, people look at you with a kind of disdain, like, 'You wasted your height!' Your height just makes them think you automatically have to be an athlete."

Nneka Ogwumike, 6-2, Los Angeles Sparks, 2016 WNBA MVP

"One of the shortcomings of being tall -- ha ha -- is that you can never swing your feet when you're sitting on a stool.

"And you always have to be at the back of a photo. I like being in the front. That's why a lot of times in photos, you see me lying down in front. I want to be seen, you know?

"Pants aren't so bad, because nowadays there are a lot of different outlets to buy from. I do almost all of my shopping online, and the clothes are super trendy, which is awesome. I love it.

"Another huge issue is sitting on airplanes. Actually, though, I'm not sure that's just a tall girl problem. That's like a human-rights issue. (Laughs)

"I also feel like climbing stairs is a little more difficult for us, because of the leverage. And I feel more tired after stairs, and that's confusing to me because I'm athletic.

"People always assume I'm a basketball or volleyball player. One guy, though, came up and asked me if I was a ballerina. I said, 'Are you being serious?' and he seemed like he was.

"The short guys are always like, 'I love me a tall girl.' And it's like, 'Seriously?'

"I love shoes, and people will say, 'Why are you wearing heels? You're tall already.' And I said, 'That has nothing to do with me wearing heels.' So that's pretty annoying."

On peoples' reactions to seeing her with sister Chiney Ogwumike, who is 6-3: "It's always like, 'Where are you guys from?' and I'm like, 'Is that question just because we're tall?'

"But overall, I have no issues with it. It's a beautiful thing."

Jantel Lavender, 6-4, Los Angeles Sparks, 2016 WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year

"The biggest one is clothes, although it's gotten better over the years. But you can't just go into a store -- if something comes up -- and find pants that fit. Or getting a dress that's long enough for your arms. Or shoes -- you can't just go get a nice pair of heels to wear to an event.

"I shop at ASOS.com -- they have a tall section that is amazing. I have so many clothes now that I'm never caught off guard."

"I would say toilets are pretty low. It's just so far down, and then the stall doors aren't that high all the time, so your head's sticking up. But I think it becomes second-nature for us to adjust."

Candace Parker, 6-4, Los Angeles Sparks, 2016 WNBA Finals MVP

"I'm against stereotypes, so I hate fitting the stereotype. People are like, 'Oh, you must play basketball.' And I'm like [lowers voice and sounds a bit disgusted], 'Yes.'

Has girls' embarrassment over being tall changed? "I hope it has. My daughter is around so many tall women, I don't think it registers to her that she's dwarfing her classmates. She's tall; she holds her shoulders back with pride. We tease her about her big feet, and she loves them and her long legs.

"I think it's generational. I wasn't always the happiest being as tall as I was, but I learned to accept it and then love it."

A'ja Wilson, 6-5, South Carolina forward

"Other than clothes sometimes, I don't really see any problems with being tall."

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Before you buy, make sure the car fits your size

By Jeff S. Bartlett, March 06, 2017

To find out which vehicles are better or worse for tall or short drivers, Consumer Reports took a closer look at test scores of recently tested vehicles, for seat comfort, driving position, access, and the view out. The shortest tester is 5 feet 1 inch, and the tallest is 6 feet 2 inches.

A handful of cars are especially versatile and are rated very highly by both tall and short testers. Families with different-sized drivers might consider the Honda Accord or the Subaru Forester. Similarly, several models serve neither tall nor short drivers well, such as the Porsche 718 Boxster. Sports cars by their very nature cater poorly to both extremes: Tall people hit the roof, and short people can't reach the clutch.

Bear in mind that some models excel at driver space to the detriment of backseat passengers. All measurements can be compared on the model pages, available from the linked names below.

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Sunday, 7 June 2015 - 6:30am | Place: Mumbai | Agency: dna | From the print edition

Roshni Nair, Averil Nunes, Rama Sreekant

Too short or too tall, they don't fit society's definition of 'normal' and often find themselves on the margins of mainstream life. But they have taken on the challenge imposed by their height to forge their own identities. Roshni Nair, Averil Nunes and Rama Sreekant get an insight into the the struggles of those who give us valuable life lessons in how to make the most of adversity

Gender games

"One of my clients, a schoolgirl, lost all self-confidence as she had a tough time due to her height," says Chhabria. "She'd slouch and shun socialising because she perennially feared she'd be made fun of. As it is, every girl is body-conscious at a point. When kids make fun of you at this juncture, it can scar."

Goregaon resident Vijaya Pawar has been witness to this. She stands 5'10" tall and is hardly what one would insensitively call a 'giant'. But she grew up at a time when the average Indian height was less than what it is today. "In my village, people would say things like 'Tu bahut jaldi budhdhi ho jayegi', or 'You're so big now, why aren't you married yet?' This was when I was still in school," she says, and admits the pressure to fit in led to the drooping of the shoulders and consequently, a slight but lifelong hunch.

"I've seen mothers of girls who are 5'9"-5'10" encouraging them to stoop because they 'won't get boys who'll marry them'," shares orthopaedist Dr Neeraj Bijlani. Public infrastructure is also not adjusted for tall Indians, leave alone 'abnormally tall' ones, he adds. So having to constantly bend or sit uncomfortably in seats that are ergonomic only for the majority can predispose one to joint problems.

Then there's Scheuermann's Disease, a classic example of a socio-cultural phenomenon leading to a medical issue. Bijlani explains: "This condition is caused due to constant slouching, which affects the growth of the vertebrae and creates a hunchback. In my practice, the male-female prevalence is 1:10."

There's more. "If those affected are still growing, belts, braces and posture correction can be undertaken. The condition can't be reversed for adults. Their only option is corrective surgery," he says.

Citing numerous studies, The Atlantic's Joe Pinsker said in a May 2015 article titled 'The Financial Perks of Being Tall', "...an extra inch is worth almost $800 a year in elevated earnings." Meaning the taller you are, the more you'll earn – if you're in a 'Western' country.

Former I Am She Miss Universe India runner-up Reha Sukheja is yet to have a level playing field, leave alone get a fatter paycheck than peers. At 6'1", this 24-year-old is often rejected at auditions for commercials due to her height. "People say, 'Sorry, you're too tall'. If I'm auditioning for 10 ads, I'll go beyond step one in maybe two-three. Mostly since those will be 'solo girl' ads with no men," she says.

When she was in school, her PT teacher pushed her into the basketball queue even though she wanted to play volleyball. And having to cock her ear to hear what people around are saying is routine. "It's awkward posing for pictures. And yes, people look me up and down – first to see my height, then at my feet to check if I'm wearing heels and then back up again for confirmation," she laughs. But all this, she adds, isn't a bugbear like
the professional constraints she faces.

In an atmosphere where significantly tall women condition themselves to bending, slouching and feeling overtly conscious of their heights, Sukheja is an exception. It helps that her father and mother – former model Renu Sukheja, herself 5'10" – never made her feel small about her height. Reha always maintained a straight posture, basically flipping the bird to all those who encourage 'lambus' to do otherwise or say things like tall girls don't 'need' to wear heels. She also has no qualms dating shorter men – her current boyfriend is a few inches shorter. "If both of us are okay with it, I don't see why anyone else should care," she underlines.

This is the attitude parents, teachers and guardians should foster in the considerably tall instead of alienating them further, says Anjali Chhabria. Society will keep projecting its anxieties on anyone with a different body. The antidote is to be accept and be comfortable in your own skin.

How long, then, before those like Sukheja – and others of varying body types – get to play in a level field? One can only hope it won't be a wait for eternity.

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