In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Ella Williams, also known as Mme. Abomah, had the title of being the tallest woman in the world. It was said that she stood at 7 feet and 6 inches tall. Her show manager stated that she was born in Dahomey, even though she was really born in South Carolina in the United States (now Republic of Benin).
Ella Grigsby was born in South Carolina in October 1865, only 10 months after the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed, which meant that she had a very slim chance of being born into slavery. As a young adult, Ella began her career in the Williams household, working for Elihu and Harriet. Ella adopted the Williams surname as her own in order to distance herself from the Grigsby name, which was the family name of her parent's slave proprietors.
Abomah said that none of her other siblings were abnormally tall, and that she had been asked by several vaudeville and circus organisers to sign a contract and tour as a giantess, but she had always declined these offers. Abomah stated that none of her other siblings were exceptionally tall. However, when she was living in her home state of South Carolina and working as a chef there, she consented to being recruited by Frank C. Bostock for a trip across the British Isles in the year 1896.
Ella went on a tour of the British Isles while she was on the "tour" that Frank Bostock signed her up for. Bostock was aware of the fact that Ella's behaviour would not be well received in the nation in which she was born. Since racism in Europe was not nearly as pervasive as it was in the United States, it was finally possible for Miss Williams to achieve more success on foreign land.
During that period, in order to promote his performance, Bostock would sometimes combine elements of reality and fantasy. He bestowed upon Williams the stage name Abomah, which was derived from the city of Abomey, which serves as the capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey (now Benin). He went on to advertise Abomah as a member of one of the mythical Dahomey Amazons, which was the name given to an all-female combat force that existed during this time period.
"One of King Dahomey's Amazons is a true giantess, and she has been brought over to England for the purpose of putting on a show here. According to reports in the American press, he was quoted as saying things like, "her height is eight feet and she is both wide and strong."
The manager of Abomah was aware that his powerful and stunning African Giantess would almost certainly be shown to a large audience in Europe. During the course of her career, which spanned thirty years, Abomah was going to perform not only in Britain but also in the majority of mainland Europe, Australia and New Zealand, South America, and Cuba.
The Amazon Giantess Abomah was always dressed in a manner that made her look sophisticated and regal thanks to her costly and large wardrobe.
As a result of the United Kingdom's declaration of war against Germany in August 1914, Abomah was forced to postpone her tours and eventually returned to the United States in March 1915. Both at Coney Island and with Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey, she had employment there. Prior to her departure from the stage, Abomah continued to perform throughout the 1920s.
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