Readers' Comments

I received the forward today from a
neighbor who said her husband received it from his cousin's friend.

It was also sent to nine other
addresses. I thought it might be a
fake so I went hunting and here I
am. Bloodhound

Although Aunt Jemima was a fictional character,
she wasn't just a face on a box. She was played by
actual women including, Brown County, Ohio native
Rose Washington Parks,1901-1969, during the 1950s.

This story was published 01/16/2001 in the Ledger
Independent in Maysville, Ky.
Rosa Washington Riles -- Aunt Jemima born in Brown County

By T. J. TUCKER
Staff Writer
Aunt Jemima www.ripleyk.12.oh.us/ripley/historicripley/aunt_jemima.htm.

Rosa Washington Riles, better known as "Aunt Jemima" was one of Brown County's most noted but least known natives. Although, the character of Aunt Jemima has been often criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of African-Americans, Rosa remains one of Brown County's most beloved daughters.
"Aunt Jemima" was born in 1901 as Rosa Washington near Red Oak, Brown County, Ohio. She was one of several children of Robert and Julie (Holliday) Washington and a grand-daughter of George and Phoeba Washington, all of whom, like her, are buried in the Red Oak Presbyterian Graveyard somewhat south of her birthplace. She died in 1969.
Rosa became "Aunt Jemima" in the 1950's. She was employed as a cook in the home of a Quaker Oats executive and went out for pancake demonstrations at her employer's request. This was following the death of Nancy Green, the former Aunt Jemima. The portrait of Rosa Washington showed a smiling, laughing, good-humored face that brought instant thoughts of delicious goodies and the anticipation of the stomach warming excellence of steaming hot pancakes smothered with fresh butter and maple syrup.
Rosa rose to fame because of her jovial personality, which so readily won fans and friends as she toured the United States annually giving her demonstrations. She often would do demonstrations in Ripley and Georgetown.
In the beginning of Rosa Washington's career as Aunt Jemima, the pancake mix was packaged and sold in one-pound covered cardboard cartons. At that period her portrait covered one entire side of the carton. Later redesigning of the packages reduced her portrait to a silver-dollar sized medallion in the upper left corner of the side of the box, and that is exactly how it can be found on the store shelves yet today. During the well advertised and well attended demonstrations, Aunt Jemima also promoted Log Cabin Syrup and Ball's Milk.
At various times along the way, advertising "gimmicks" such as salt and pepper shakers, penny banks and rag dolls were produced - all in the easily recognized form of the chubby Aunt Jemima.
Today, a collection of Aunt Jemima souvenirs and collector's items can be found at the Red Oak Church.
The late Glen Woods of Russellville, Ohio, gave this collection to the church in recognition of what Aunt Jemima had contributed to the people of the United States.
In honor of Aunt Jemima, an annual pancake breakfast is held at the church. The proceeds are used for the upkeep of the old part of the cemetery next to the church. Those attending often visit the grave of Rosa and reflect upon her life and its importance. She so successfully concealed her greatness, that few today who pass rapidly along the Ripley-Russellville Pike (Route 62/68) realize that the birth site and burial place of "Aunt Jemima" can be seen from that highway.
Her daughter, Mrs. Ruth Sugg, who lives in Cincinnati travels from home to Red Oak every Memorial Day and Christmas to place flowers on the graves of her mother, her brothers and her grandparents and great-grand-parents.
(From research papers of the late Glenn Woods recorded on Ripley's Web site at www.ripleyk.12.oh.us/ripley/historicripley/aunt_jemima.htm.).