Everything about Aunt Jemima totally explained
Aunt Jemima is a trademark for
pancake flour,
syrup, and other
breakfast foods. The trademark dates to
1893, although Aunt Jemima pancake mix debuted in
1889. The phrase "Aunt Jemima" is sometimes used as a female version of "
Uncle Tom" to refer to a black woman who is perceived as obsequiously servile or acting in, or protective of, the interests of
whites.
The
1950s television show Beulah came under fire for depicting a "
mammy"-like black
maid and cook who was somewhat reminiscent of Aunt Jemima. Today, "Beulah" and "Aunt Jemima" are regarded as more or less interchangeable as
terms of disparagement. The name "
Jemima" is biblical in nature and is the
King James Version's rendering of the feminine
Hebrew name יְמִימָה (Yəmīmā), the first of
Job's daughters born to him at the end of his
namesake book of the
Bible.
History
The direct inspiration for Aunt Jemima originates from a
minstrelsy/
vaudeville song of the same name.
Chris L. Rutt of the
Pearl Milling Company saw the song being sung by
blackface performers
Baker & Farrell wearing an
apron and
kerchief, and appropriated the character.
Aunt Jemima is depicted as a plump, smiling, bright-eyed,
African-American woman, originally wearing a kerchief over her hair. She was represented as a
slave and was the most commonplace representation of the stereotypical "
mammy" character.
The character of Aunt Jemima also appeared in vaudeville, played by comedienne-singer
Tess Gardella (a white actress, who performed the role in
blackface).
Nancy Green, born a slave in
Montgomery County,
Kentucky, was hired by
R.T. Davis Milling Company to play the Jemima character from
1890 to her death on
September 24,
1923. As Jemima, Green operated a pancake-cooking display at the
World's Columbian Exposition in
Chicago,
Illinois during
1893, beside the "world's largest flour barrel."
Harriette Widmer also portrayed the character on
radio, in addition to
Ethel Ernistine Harper, whose image served as the basis for most remaining Aunt Jemima print advertising starting in the 1950s, until the Jemima character was changed into a composite in the 1960s.
The Aunt Jemima trademark has been modified several times over the years. In her most recent make-over in the late 80s/early 90's, as she reached her 100th anniversary she was transformed into a younger, thinner woman, dressed up, and her kerchief removed to reveal a natural hairdo and pearl earrings. This new look remains with the products to this day.
Quaker Oats bought the brand in
1926. Aunt Jemima
frozen foods were licensed out to Aurora Foods in
1996 and in 2004 absorbed into
Pinnacle Foods Corporation.
The character received the
Key to the City of
Albion,
Michigan on January 25,
1964. An actress portraying Jemima visited Albion many times for fundraisers.
Living persons as a basis
- Nancy Green (1834–1923) The first Aunt Jemima, Nancy Green, was born a slave in 1834. She signed an exclusive contract which gave her the right to portray the character for the rest of her life.
Anna Robinson (? –1951) In 1933, Anna Robinson became the second Aunt Jemima, and was featured at the Chicago Century of Progress Exhibition. Robinson's likeness was captured on a painted portrait, an image that changed the product's packaging. She worked as a traveling "Aunt Jemima" on behalf of the Quaker company, giving presentations at schools, churches and other organizations. Prior to assuming the role, Harper graduated from college at the age of 17 and had become a teacher.Other mentions
Was parodied on Family Guy [episode#1- Death has a Shadow] as being a "Jemima's Witness," asking, "You boys want some pancakes?"Further Information
Get more info on 'Aunt Jemima'.
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