The True Story of Aunt Jemima

Nancy Green was the 1st living trademark

Nancy Green as Aunt Jemima

Issue #157 Friday Funday October 21, 2022

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Who was Nancy Green?

Nancy Green was born in enslavement in 1834 in Montgomery County, Kentucky. In 1890, when she was 56 years old, she was selected as a spokesperson for Pearl Milling Company to promote its new ready-mixed, self-rising pancake flour. She made her debut as “Aunt Jemima” at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 and became an immediate star as the spokeswoman for the product.