Mignon, the Penguin Girl
Born around 1910, Ruth Berry became a prominent attraction in the years spanning from 1930 to 1965. She bore the rare condition of phocomelia in all four limbs, with her fingers fused together, creating the distinctive appearance of flippers. Professionally, she adopted the stage name “Mignon,” a French term meaning “cute.” Phocomelia is a rare congenital condition characterized by underdeveloped or absent limbs, often resulting in the hands or feet being attached directly to the body. This condition is typically caused by exposure to certain drugs or toxins during pregnancy, such as thalidomide.