When Elma Godwin gave birth to her daughter Ani, she immediately noticed something remarkable. As the nurse placed the newborn on her chest, Elma’s eyes filled with tears — her baby had a white streak in her hair, in the exact same spot as her own.
Elma has piebaldism, a rare genetic condition that affects pigmentation in the hair and skin. It causes patches of skin and hair to lack melanin, often resulting in a distinctive white streak. Elma was born with this unique feature, and now, her daughter shares the same beautiful mark.
For Elma, it was an emotional full-circle moment. Her older daughter, Ari, was born without the trait, so she never expected to see her signature streak passed down. “The entire hospital staff came to see,” she recalled. “It was such a special moment — like seeing myself all over again.”
Growing up, Elma often felt different and alone. She didn’t meet anyone else with piebaldism until she was 24 years old, when she discovered an online community of people with the same condition. That connection changed everything for her.
Today, Elma is a proud advocate for people with piebaldism and other visible differences. Through her story, she reminds others — and one day, her daughter Ani — that their uniqueness is something to embrace, not hide.
“It’s not a flaw,” she says. “It’s a part of who we are. It’s something to own, not cover up.”
Mother and daughter — perfectly matched, beautifully unique, and a shining reminder that what makes us different can also make us extraordinary.