History of Aunt Jemima in Timeline

Aunt Jemima was a prominent American breakfast food brand known primarily for its pancake mix, syrup, and other related products. The brand's origin dates back to 1888-1889 when the Pearl Milling Company introduced the inaugural "ready-mix" pancake mix, marking a significant development in convenient breakfast options.

1900: Agnes Moody Portrays Aunt Jemima at Paris Exhibition

Agnes Moody, known for her cornmeal bread and cakes, was hired to portray Aunt Jemima at the 1900 Paris exhibition. She was sometimes mistakenly identified as the original Aunt Jemima.

1900: Nancy Green Refuses to Attend Paris Exhibition

Nancy Green, the first Aunt Jemima, declined to travel across the ocean for the 1900 Paris exhibition. Agnes Moody replaced her for this event.

1901: Birth of Rosa Washington Riles

Rosa Washington Riles, the third face of Aunt Jemima, was born in 1901 near Red Oak, Ohio.

April 9, 1903: Death of Agnes Moody

Agnes Moody, who portrayed Aunt Jemima at the 1900 Paris exhibition, died on April 9, 1903.

September 17, 1903: Birth of Ethel Ernestine Harper

Ethel Ernestine Harper was born on September 17, 1903, in Greensboro, Alabama.

1909: Introduction of Aunt Jemima Rag Dolls

Rag dolls depicting Aunt Jemima were introduced as a premium offer in 1909. Early versions were criticized for their stereotypical features but were gradually improved over time.

1910: Lillian Richard Moves to Dallas and Works as a Cook

In 1910, Lillian Richard relocated to Dallas and began working as a cook, marking the start of her culinary career.

1915: Aunt Jemima Trademark Law Ruling

In 1915, a trademark law ruling based on the Aunt Jemima brand set a precedent known as the "Aunt Jemima Doctrine." This ruling expanded trademark protection to cover infringement by sellers of related products, not just identical ones.

1923: Death of Nancy Green

Nancy Green, the original portrayer of Aunt Jemima, passed away in 1923 and was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in Chicago's Oak Woods Cemetery.

1925: Lillian Richard Hired to Portray Aunt Jemima

Lillian Richard was chosen to embody Aunt Jemima in 1925, a role she held for 23 years.

1927: Artie Belle McGinty Becomes the Voice of Aunt Jemima

Artie Belle McGinty made history in 1927 by becoming the first voice to portray Aunt Jemima in radio advertisements, expanding the character's reach into a new medium.

1927: Anna Short Harrington Moves to Syracuse

In 1927, Anna Short Harrington relocated to Syracuse, New York.

January 17, 1929: "Aunt Jemima" Radio Program Premieres

"Aunt Jemima," a variety radio program with a minstrel theme, premiered on January 17, 1929.

1933: Anna Robinson Portrays Aunt Jemima at Chicago World's Fair

Anna Robinson was selected to portray Aunt Jemima at the 1933 Century of Progress Chicago World's Fair. Her appearance aligned more closely with the stereotypical "mammy" image.

1933: Publication of "Imitation of Life"

Fannie Hurst's novel "Imitation of Life," featuring an Aunt Jemima-inspired character named Delilah, was published in 1933.

1934: Film Adaptation of "Imitation of Life"

A film adaptation of "Imitation of Life," retaining the Aunt Jemima-esque character, was released in 1934.

1935: Anna Short Harrington Becomes Aunt Jemima

Anna Short Harrington's journey as Aunt Jemima began in 1935 after being discovered by Quaker Oats at the New York State Fair.

1939: Ethel Ernestine Harper's Performance in "The Hot Mikado"

Ethel Ernestine Harper performed in "The Hot Mikado" in 1939.

1939: Nancy Green's Income

In 1939, Nancy Green received a total payment of $1,200, which was nearly the entire annual income for her household.

1942: Ethel Ernestine Harper's Performance in "Harlem Cavalcade"

Ethel Ernestine Harper performed in "Harlem Cavalcade" in 1942.

1944: Edith Wilson's Film Appearance

In 1944, Edith Wilson appeared in the film "To Have and Have Not."

1947: Lillian Richard Suffers a Stroke

Around 1947-1948, Lillian Richard experienced a stroke, leading to her return to her hometown of Fouke, Texas.

1948: Lillian Richard Suffers a Stroke

Around 1947-1948, Lillian Richard experienced a stroke, leading to her return to her hometown of Fouke, Texas.

1948: Edith Wilson Becomes Aunt Jemima

Edith Wilson took on the role of Aunt Jemima in 1948, becoming the first to appear in television commercials.

1948: End of Rosa Washington Riles's Tenure as Aunt Jemima

Rosa Washington Riles concluded her role as the third face of Aunt Jemima in 1948.

1950: Rosie Lee Moore Hall Becomes Aunt Jemima

Rosie Lee Moore Hall began portraying Aunt Jemima in 1950, becoming the last "living" Aunt Jemima.

1951: Death of Nancy Green

Nancy Green, the first Aunt Jemima, reportedly worked for the company sporadically until her death in 1951.

June 5, 1953: "Aunt Jemima" Radio Program Ends

The radio program "Aunt Jemima" concluded its run on June 5, 1953.

1954: End of Anna Short Harrington's Time as Aunt Jemima

Anna Short Harrington's time portraying Aunt Jemima came to an end in 1954.

1955: Death of Anna Short Harrington

Anna Short Harrington passed away in Syracuse in 1955.

1955: Aunt Jemima's Pancake House Opens

Aunt Jemima's Pancake House, later renamed Aunt Jemima's Kitchen, began operating in 1955.

1956: Death of Lillian Richard

Lillian Richard passed away in 1956 in Fouke, Texas, where she had lived since retiring from her role as Aunt Jemima.

1957: Aylene Lewis Begins Portraying Aunt Jemima at Disneyland

Aylene Lewis took on the role of Aunt Jemima at Disneyland's Aunt Jemima's Pancake House in 1957.

1959: Remake of "Imitation of Life"

A remake of "Imitation of Life" was released in 1959, but the Aunt Jemima-like character was removed.

1962: Aunt Jemima's Kitchen Opens During Civil Rights Movement

The official Aunt Jemima restaurant, Aunt Jemima's Kitchen, opened at Disneyland in 1962 during the Civil Rights Movement.

January 25, 1964: Aunt Jemima Receives Key to the City of Albion, Michigan

Edith Wilson, portraying Aunt Jemima, was presented with the Key to the City of Albion, Michigan, on January 25, 1964.

1964: Death of Aylene Lewis

Aylene Lewis passed away in 1964.

1965: End of Local Appearances for Aunt Jemima

Quaker Oats discontinued local appearances by individuals portraying Aunt Jemima in 1965. This decision reflected a shift in marketing strategies and a move away from live representations of the character.

1966: End of Edith Wilson's Time as Aunt Jemima

Edith Wilson's tenure as Aunt Jemima concluded in 1966.

February 12, 1967: Death of Rosie Lee Moore Hall

Rosie Lee Moore Hall died on February 12, 1967, from a heart attack.

1967: Company History Highlights Anna Robinson's Journey

A 1967 company history published by the brand recounted Anna Robinson's journey to New York City for a photoshoot, highlighting her role in the brand's history.

1968: Aunt Jemima's Kitchen in Grand Rapids Renamed

Aunt Jemima's Kitchen in Grand Rapids was renamed Colonial Kitchen in 1968.

1968: Aunt Jemima Image Update

The Aunt Jemima image underwent a redesign in 1968, giving her a slimmer, more "svelte" appearance. This change reflected evolving beauty standards and aimed to modernize the brand.

1969: Frank Zappa Releases "Electric Aunt Jemima"

Frank Zappa released a song titled "Electric Aunt Jemima" on his album "Uncle Meat" in 1969.

1969: Death of Rosa Washington Riles

Rosa Washington Riles passed away in 1969 and was laid to rest in the Red Oak Presbyterian Church cemetery in Ripley, Ohio.

March 31, 1979: Death of Ethel Ernestine Harper

On March 31, 1979, Ethel Ernestine Harper passed away in Morristown, New Jersey.

March 31, 1981: Death of Edith Wilson

Edith Wilson died on March 31, 1981, in Chicago.

1983: Faith Ringgold's "Who's Afraid of Aunt Jemima?"

Faith Ringgold's quilt story "Who's Afraid of Aunt Jemima?" was created in 1983, reimagining Aunt Jemima as a successful entrepreneur.

May 7, 1988: Rosie Lee Moore Hall's Grave Declared a Historical Landmark

On May 7, 1988, Rosie Lee Moore Hall's grave was designated as a historical landmark.

1989: Aunt Jemima Image Update

In 1989, for the brand's 100th anniversary, Aunt Jemima's image was updated to remove her head covering, revealing wavy hair and earrings. This change aimed to create a more "sophisticated" and contemporary depiction.

1990: Public Enemy's "Burn Hollywood Burn" Addresses Racial Stereotypes

Public Enemy's song "Burn Hollywood Burn," released in 1990, criticizes the persistence of racial stereotypes, including Aunt Jemima.

1995: Hawkins, Texas Designated as "Pancake Capital of Texas"

In 1995, the Texas Legislature officially recognized Hawkins, Texas, as the "Pancake Capital of Texas" through Senate Resolution No. 73. This designation was inspired by Lillian Richard, a longtime resident who portrayed Aunt Jemima.

2000: Spike Lee's "Bamboozled" Features Aunt Jemima

Spike Lee's film "Bamboozled," released in 2000, features an Aunt Jemima character in a satirical minstrel show.

2004: "C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America" Depicts Aunt Jemima Characters

The mockumentary "C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America," released in 2004, includes depictions of Aunt Jemima-like characters as slaves in an alternate historical context.

June 30, 2012: Texas Historical Marker Dedicated to Lillian Richard

A Texas Historical Marker was dedicated to Lillian Richard, who portrayed Aunt Jemima for 23 years, in her hometown on June 30, 2012. This honored her contributions to the brand and her connection to Texas.

2014: Aunt Jemima Appears in "South Park" Episode

Aunt Jemima makes an appearance in the "South Park" episode "Gluten Free Ebola," which aired in 2014.

2015: Lawsuit Filed by Descendants of Aunt Jemima Models

In 2015, Larnell Evans, a descendant of Anna Short Harrington, filed a lawsuit against Quaker Oats and others for a share of the profits generated by the Aunt Jemima brand. The lawsuit was unsuccessful.

June 2020: Other Brands Announce Rebranding Reviews

Following the June 2020 announcement about Aunt Jemima, other brands facing similar criticisms, including Uncle Ben's rice, Mrs. Butterworth's, and Cream of Wheat, also announced rebranding reviews or initiatives.

June 2020: Aunt Jemima Brand Discontinuation Announced

In June 2020, Quaker Oats announced the discontinuation of the Aunt Jemima brand due to its ties to the "Mammy" stereotype, which has historical connections to the Jim Crow era. The decision aimed to promote racial equality.

June 17, 2020: Announcement to Discontinue Aunt Jemima Brand

On June 17, 2020, Quaker Oats publicly announced their decision to discontinue the Aunt Jemima brand. They cited the need to make progress toward racial equality as the reason for this change.

September 5, 2020: Headstone Placed on Nancy Green's Grave

A headstone was placed on Nancy Green's grave on September 5, 2020, recognizing her role as the first Aunt Jemima. This act aimed to honor her memory and acknowledge her historical significance.

November 7, 2020: "Aunt Jemima Fired" Skit on Saturday Night Live

On November 7, 2020, the comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live aired a skit where the characters Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben were fired, and their roles were filled by "Count Chocula" and the "Allstate Guy".

February 1, 2021: PepsiCo Acquires Pearl Milling Company Brand Name

PepsiCo purchased the Pearl Milling Company brand name on February 1, 2021, in preparation for replacing the Aunt Jemima brand. This acquisition allowed them to launch the new branding later that year.

February 9, 2021: Announcement of Pearl Milling Company as the New Brand Name

PepsiCo revealed the new brand name, Pearl Milling Company, for the Aunt Jemima products on February 9, 2021. This marked a significant step in the rebranding process.

June 2021: Aunt Jemima Brand Renamed Pearl Milling Company

In June 2021, PepsiCo, the brand's owner, discontinued the Aunt Jemima name and rebranded all products to Pearl Milling Company, the original producer of the pancake mix. The move came amidst heightened racial tensions in the United States.

2021: Removal of Aunt Jemima Image from Packaging

By early 2021, the Aunt Jemima image was removed from product packaging, reflecting a broader movement to address racial stereotypes in branding.

2021: Disparaging Remark in "Judas and the Black Messiah"

In the 2021 film, Judas and the Black Messiah, a scene depicting the Chicago Police surrounding the Black Panther Party Headquarters features a police officer making a derogatory comparison of a Black woman to Aunt Jemima.