In her 2015 new york times piece richardson explained that the brand s name and the original logo were inspired by a minstrel song old aunt jemima minstrel shows which were popular throughout. Aunt jemima s logo has changed 6 times and its history is rooted in racial stereotypes and slavery check out how the brand started and evolved over 130 years jessica snouwaert 2020 06 17t21. Glenn introduces you to nancy green and explains why deleting her s today s activists are working overtime to remove any symbol logo or slogan from businesses they deem culturally inappropriate oppressive or insulting.
Aunt jemima was one of the first logos to take a hit but there s a real story behind the smiling face on those syrup bottles. Aunt jemima was first brought to life by nancy green a. The pancake mix debuted in 1889 and the inspiration for the logo featuring a black woman came from the minstrel song old aunt jemima.
1926 the quaker oats company purchases the aunt jemima mills company. 1893 the world meets aunt jemima and her pancakes at the world s fair in chicago il. Aunt jemima was first brought to life by nancy green a storyteller cook and missionary worker.
The logo of the more than 130 year old brand features. Said on wednesday it will change the name and brand image of its aunt jemima pancake mix and syrup dropping a mascot that has been criticized for a racist history amid a national debate over racial inequality in the united states. Aunt jemima the breakfast food company is a brand which has long received criticism due to its logo that features a smiling black woman featured on its products.
The sweet face of aunt jemima most likely floods you with happy memories of eating pancakes with friends after a sleepover or feasting on waffles on a sleepy sunday morning however few realize the logo is incredibly problematic and after far too long. For over 100 years aunt jemima has been widely recognized for its buttery maple syrup and of course its somewhat nostalgic logo. In 1889 the creators of aunt jemima charles rutt and charles underwood sold the company to r t davis who soon found nancy green in chicago.
Nancy green was born into slavery in 1834 in montgomery county kentucky. In 1890 a former slave named nancy green was hired to be the spokesperson for aunt jemima brand food products. It is currently owned by the quaker oats company of chicago a subsidiary of pepsico.
By 1915 it had become one of the most recognized brands in us history and changed us trademark law.
Aunt jemima syrup first logo. Aunt jemima is a brand of pancake mix syrup and other breakfast foods. The aunt jemima pancake mix debuted in 1889 the first ready mix.
The aunt jemima pancake mix debuted in 1889 the first ready mix. Aunt jemima is a brand of pancake mix syrup and other breakfast foods.
