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Here’s my mom’s Aunt Jemima collection. Most of my moms friends have collected these. To be clear She hates the brand.
My relationship with Aunt Jemima over the years has been a bit more complicated as I’ll explain.
Before journalism, I temped @Quaker in the marketing department. I worked for the original brand, AuntJemima, Rice A Roni, and their organic brands.
Funny tidbit: internally this guy is named Larry. Also, fun perk was free oatmeal and grits in the cafeteria. #AuntJemima
Working at Quaker helped me a lot later in my career as a biz reporter covering cars. I was the assistant to the Quality marketing director. Which meant we were in charge of product recalls. #AuntJemima
My boss at Quaker was the best I ever had. Her name would have foreshadowing in my career, Paula Takata. Takata Corporation, no relation, was responsible for largest recall in auto history (airbags). But back to #AuntJemima
I remember no one liking #AuntJemima in our department, especially my Japanese American boss. With a genuine champion on my side, working for Aunt Jemima was the best work environment in my career...especially compared to public radio.
Quaker was overall an incredible place to work. Free oatmeal or grits for breakfast. Summer hours, world class gym (I don’t remember anyone giving you crap for going to the gym during the day).
The company was ahead of its time offering partner benefits its LGBT staff in the 80s.
Quaker Oats was purchased by @PepsiCo in 2001, mainly to acquire Gatorade. Which meant part of my job was arranging lunches in restaurants that served Pepsi in Chicago. If you went to #McDonalds for lunch, don’t bring the bag in the building...someone would say something.
It was my team at Quaker that encouraged me to pursue journalism. Giving me pointers on my resume, my boss writing recommendation letters. Which is how I got an internship @WBEZ
Eventually I became a producer at NPR where I worked with @michele_norris who wrote the book Grace of Silence, detailing the role Aunt Jemima in her family. The book is as relevant now. https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Grace-of-Silence-Audiobook/B0042VTMLG
My mother was extremely proud that it was @michele_norris who wrote the obit...as my mom had a little retirement party for#auntjemima “Uncle Ben is next!” https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-did-it-take-so-long-to-set-aunt-jemima-free/2020/06/17/788d0112-b0db-11ea-8758-bfd1d045525a_story.html
