Growing up, I never questioned the smiling brown lady on the front of the pancake box. Aunt Jemima was a staple in my humble beginning, which included breakfast after we completed our chores on Saturday mornings and before church on Sundays. We knew our favorite Auntie would be sitting at our table with us.
Nancy Green, who Played the Character Aunt Jemima, was a testament to black servitude in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Nancy Green was born into slavery. She created the recipe for the milling company, which we know as Aunt Jemima. The brand made its debut at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1889.
Over time, Nancy Green sold over 50,000 boxes. After she passed away, other women continued her legacy by playing the character of Aunt Jemima. Nancy Green Never Received credit for her creation. Many of us never knew her name. In 2020, the company was rebranded to Pearling Milling Company.
Using a black servant for branding was a brilliant marketing strategy. The Images of this renowned woman lasted in our pantries until 2020. In hindsight, I wish I savored the last box. Aunt Jemima is a part of Black History.
Nancy Green’s family and other activists are concerned that the company’s rebranding will cover the legacy of Nancy Green, the original Aunt Jemima.
Read more about Aunt Jemima on ABC’s website.
Read more about Black History from The Open Narrative.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness
dr. martin Luther King Jr.
Only light can do that
Hate cannot drive out hate
Only love can do that
Leave a Reply