A History of Aunt Jemima Posted on March 25, 2012

Aunt Jemima’s pancake mix was one of the first “mixes” ever sold (from the R.T. Davis Milling Company). Former slave Nancy Green was hired as a spokesperson for the Aunt Jemima pancake mix in 1890. Green played the Jemima character from 1890 until 1923. The world first “discovered” the real Aunt Jemima (Green) at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, 1893, where she would make pancakes. Today, most of us know her from the kindly portrait on the label of the American iconic syrup and mixes.

Five Food Finds about Aunt Jemima

Most people think of the Aunt Jemima brand as a syrup, but it actually wasn’t introduced as a syrup until 1966.

Some view Aunt Jemima as a negative racial stereotype. Throughout the years, the brand has done some work to create a more empowering image of her.

Aunt Jemima’s pancake mix was one of the first “mixes” ever sold.

At the World’s Columbian Exposition, Aunt Jemima’ (Nancy Green) demonstrated how to use the new mix. The exhibit was so popular, police had to control the crowds at the Aunt Jemima booth.