Alice Elizabeth Doherty was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a rare and striking condition—her body was covered in soft, blonde hair about two inches long at birth.

She was later diagnosed with hypertrichosis lanuginosa, a rare form of excessive hair growth often referred to as “werewolf syndrome.” What made Alice’s case even more unique was that no one else in her family had the condition.

As she grew older, so did her hair. By age five, it had reached five inches in length, and by her teenage years, it grew up to nine inches long.

Hypertrichosis can take many forms and arise for different reasons, but in Alice’s case, it gave her a distinctive appearance that drew public attention.

Much like modern individuals living with similar conditions, Alice’s story is a powerful reminder of how embracing what makes us different can be a form of strength. Today, women with “werewolf syndrome” continue to challenge beauty standards—celebrating their unique looks and silencing critics with pride and confidence.