I am a 5 foot tall woman - yup, 5 feet 0 inches. I can assure that my nutritionist has suggested I eat about 1500 calories a day to lose weight (on the days I don't exercise). With that diet I have lost 40 lbs since June 2010.
Now I do sincerely agree with you that losing weight too quickly can be very dangerous. 1-2 lbs a week is best. But sadly, the caloric needs of a short woman with a wicked slow metabolism and who spends most of her day sitting on her butt are legitimately in the 1500 calorie range.
I think you would agree, though, Amamba, that a 5' tall women is not exactly an ordinary size for people. My girlfriend is 4'11.5" and 111 lbs, and she is so much smaller than my 5'11"/310lb self its almost laughable- and people laugh.