BLACK HISTORY MONTH: NANCY GREEN (AUNT JEMIMA)

Nancy Green born into slavery on November 17, 1834, was a storyteller, cook, and one of the first black corporate models in the United States. The world knew her as Aunt Jemima, the advertising world’s first living trademark. The name Jemima is biblical in origin. Jemima is the King James Version’s rendering of the feminine Hebrew name Y?m?m?, the first of Job’s daughters born to him at the end of his namesake book of the Bible.

In 1893, the Davis Milling Company aggressively began an all-out promotion of Aunt Jemima at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Green, as Aunt Jemima, demonstrated the pancake mix and served thousands of pancakes. Green was a hit, friendly, a good storyteller, and a good cook. Her warm and appealing personality made her the ideal Aunt Jemima, a living trademark. Her exhibition booth drew so many people that special policemen were assigned to keep the crowds moving. The Davis Milling Company received over 50,000 orders, and Fair officials awarded Nancy Green a medal and certificate for her showmanship.

She was proclaimed “Pancake Queen.” After the Expo, Green was offered a lifetime contract to adopt the Aunt Jemima moniker and promote the pancake mix. This marked the beginning of a major promotional push by the company that included thousands of personal appearances and Aunt Jemima merchandising. Her career allowed Green the financial freedom to become an activist and engage in anti-poverty programs.

Nancy Green maintained this job until her legacy as a living trademark ended – when she was tragically struck and killed by a car in downtown Chicago on September 23, 1923. The famous image of Aunt Jemima was based on the real image of Nancy Green, The original painting of Aunt Jemima was sold in the 90s for $9,030 at MastroNet. This painting was rendered by A.B. Frost, a great illustrators of the Golden Age of American Illustration.

Many became offended by Aunt Jemima’s image and felt that it was an outdated and negative portrayal of an African-American woman. If you take a look at today’s Aunt Jemima, you’ll notice that her kerchief is gone and her hair is styled. She wears earrings, and appears slimmer and younger. She does, however, have the same warm and inviting smile that she’s always had.