Aunt Jemima has roots in SC

Jun 17, 2020, 1:55 PM

Anna Short Harrington, born in 1897 in Marlboro County, South Carolina, began her career as Aunt Jemima in 1935. She had to support her five children, and she moved with her family to Syracuse, New York, where she cooked for a living. Quaker Oats discovered her when she was cooking at a fair.[22][23] An ad in Woman's Home Companion in November 1935 said, "Let ol Auntie sing in yo' kitchen."[24] It was her picture with a bandana used on Quaker Oats products.[22] Harrington continued to play the role for 14 years, and she made enough money to buy a large house and rent rooms. That house was demolished to make way for Interstate 81.[24] Harrington died in 1955. According to John Troy McQueen, author of The Story of Aunt Jemima, "she really was famous for cooking pancakes."

Now Quaker Oats is rebranding and renaming the Aunt Jemima line. RIP Aunt Jemima.
Many of us had this same type of special woman in our homes taking care of the house when we were growing up. We had one. My parents paid her pretty well, more than others in similar positions. We took her and her daughter with us to Litchfield beach on our summer vacations. She needed money and we needed a housekeeper. She was pretty much part of our family Monday tru Friday year round.

So I guess it’s now shameful for people to have housekeepers and demeaning to be one.

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owned a corner grocery store on the corner of Bull and Rutledge in downtown Charleston. They had a meat counter and a daily delivery service (via bicycles) to their clients.

As they ran the store Henrietta tended to the Home Place (14 Bennett St, behind the Old Museum). Henrietta was an awesome cook and even better lady. I can taste her mac'n cheese now!!!

Henrietta had her set of keys to the house. She was paid and worked Monday through noon Saturday. She was as much a part of the family as I was.

Fun memory of her . . . after wading the Russellville Flats with dad one Friday, we took the double limit to Honey and Fred's . . . We filleted them and bagged them to share with other relatives in the area . . . When we asked Henrietta if she wanted some for her family she smiled and said, "No thank you . . . but can I have those?", pointing to the garbage bag of backbones and heads we were about to discard. Dad told her surely and asked what her plans for them were. She said, "Oh Mr Kim, we are going to have a 'Main Street Stew' tonight with those. Everyone will be invited!" Dad sheepishly asked, "Everyone?" Henrietta laughed and said, "Yes Kim, you can come . . . if you bring Master Skip with you." We arrived and were welcomed as if the prodigal sons had come home. Those heads and backbones were there essence of the most magical fish stew I have ever eaten . . . cooked outside in a black cast iron cauldron on an open flame. My mouth is watering now at the remembrance!!!

Henrietta was "good people"!!!

Aunt Jemima has roots in SC

Re: Aunt Jemima has roots in SC

Aunt Jemima pancake mix first went on sale in 1889

So... we're upset about syrup now?

I would post that our babysitters were black and/or white.

to be honest, I'm bettin a ton of blacks are probably more

My Grandparents, Honey and Fred . . .

awesome story. One of my fondest memories growing up

Re: My Grandparents, Honey and Fred . . .

The last time I passed the old store . . .

i bet uncle ben is next

You must have hated the movie, "The Help"

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