I'm 6'4 And I Love To Wear Heels
My name is Bree Wijnaar, and I'm a 6'4'' woman who unashamedly loves to rock a cute pair of heels. For years people have questioned my decision to add an extra two to four inches to my already towering frame, as if it were wrong of me to want to feel just as much of a woman as my smaller lady friends. I admit that I wasn't always so confident with my height, and that it took some time to accept that being different was nothing to be ashamed of.
I was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where the regal and powerful name Brunnhilde was bestowed upon me. Growing up in the “land of the tall," it wasn't uncommon to see men and women of exceptional height, however, I never imagined that I would be one of the few anomalies that would walk the halls of my high school. I was a little taller than average, but nothing noticeable until about the age of 10. Mother Nature had some interesting plans for me, and I started growing at a pace that was off the charts. I would grow out of clothes literally weeks after I had gotten them, and within the family there was a general feeling of “What on earth is happening to Brunnhilde?"
You can imagine that I was a fascinating phenomenon for doctors as well, who estimated that I would grow about six feet tall. There were frequent visits to keep a close eye on my growth, which in time revealed that their calculations were inaccurate as I grew well past the six-foot mark.
By age 14, I was a 6'4 teenager with size 14 feet and the curves of a grown woman. How do you like them apples?!
Being an unusually tall teenage girl made standing out from the crowd easy and admittedly uncomfortable. People would stare at me a lot, especially since tripping over my own feet was a regular occurrence as I attempted to adjust to my incessantly growing body. Boys were intimated by my size, so I wasn't often asked out on dates, and I would pass on going on shopping trips with my girlfriends because most retail stores didn't carry my size.
And then there were the questions and comments from strangers whenever I would go out and about:
“How tall are you?"
“Do you play ball?"
“How tall are your parents?"
“How is the weather up there?"
The comments and stares seem to multiply whenever I'd throw on a pair of heels. It seemed as if I couldn't go one day without being judged and analyzed by strangers looking for justification as to why I would want to be any taller than I was.
As a teenage girl just trying to adjust to the transition into adulthood, I struggled to manage the unsolicited attention. I masked my insecurities with humor and overconfidence as I maneuvered through those uncomfortable encounters.
But one day I decided that enough was enough, and that it was time to embrace the thing that I couldn't change. I accepted who I was and began to learn to love my beautiful, long legs and the heels that made them look even more amazing.
Today, at 32-years-old, I can sincerely say that I am very proud of my height and I would not change it for the world. For me, having a clear overview of the room standing at 6'6 in my lowest heels is a powerful feeling. On an average night out you can find me standing up straight and enjoying the view—people watching like everyone else, but with a 6'6 first class seat. I have learned how to take full advantage of my tall stature, and to use my voice to speak on the unique challenges and opportunities that woman of height experience.
To my fellow tall sisters, I hope you choose to wear what makes you feel beautiful, elegant, empowered, comfortable and ready to take on the world. Embrace who you are, and dare to be different!
Are there any tall sisters who can relate to my experience? Share your story below!
Bree is the founder of The Tall Society--a supportive online community bringing together tall woman worldwide. Follow her movement on Instagram at @thetallsociety.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Author And TV Analyst Tiffany Cross Talks New Podcast, Intergenerational Connections, And More
Author, broadcast personality, and TV analyst Tiffany Cross has a proven track record of dynamic storytelling and media savvy. She served as host of The Cross Connection on MSNBC, as well as a Resident Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics. She’s also a media business veteran, with earned career receipts working as Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief for BET Networks, as an associate producer for CNN, and as a freelance field producer. She also co-founded The Beat DC, an intersectional platform that focused on policy, business, and people of color, among other advocacy topics.
Now, she's leading as host of ACross Generations, a podcast launched via Will Packer Productions featuring candid conversations amplifying the voices and experiences of Black women. Episodes touch on topics including love, finance, gender roles, and more in intergenerational conversations for wisdom and understanding.
Bridging the Gap Between Black Men & Women Feat. Dionne Warwick & Ashley Foote
One episode, for example, includes insights from iconic singer Dionne Warwick, discussing societal shifts, the relationships between generations, and Black women’s plight for self-love. The podcast offers listeners a safe space to find reliability, honesty, and dynamic enlightenment, expanding perspectives on the experience of Black womanhood.
xoNecole caught up with Cross on a recent IG Live for a conversation about ACross Generations, where she talked about why she chose to bring the podcast to fruition, the legacy and impact of the conversation, self-love, and how it ties to her career and life, and what's in store for listeners.
Listen to the full conversation below and check out theACross Generations podcast via iHeartMedia:
Featured image by Leon Bennett / Stringer/Getty Images