evidence: Study: High heels do give women power over men The well-heeled Marilyn Monroe reportedly once said if you give a girl the right shoes, she can conquer the world. The allure of high-heeled shoes is no secret among women, who have used them to entice men from the streets of Ancient Rome to the New York City sidewalks of Carrie Bradshaw. Heels have also been a controversial symbol in the battleground of sexual politics.