A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Recognizing Nancy Green, the spokesperson for Aunt Jemima, as a true American success story that was erased from history.

WHEREAS, Nancy Green, the woman known to the world as Aunt Jemima, is an example of a true American success story; and

WHEREAS, Nancy was born as a slave in Montgomery County, Kentucky, in 1834; and

WHEREAS, Nancy was fifty-six years old when she was selected to be the spokesperson for a new ready-mixed, self-rising pancake flour and made her debut in 1893 at an exposition in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Nancy became an immediate star when she demonstrated the pancake mix and served thousands of pancakes; and

WHEREAS, Nancy's exhibition booth drew so many people that special security personnel had to be assigned to keep the crowds moving; and

WHEREAS, with her warm and appealing personality, Nancy was a good storyteller with exceptional showmanship; and

WHEREAS, Nancy was signed to a lifetime contract, traveled on promotional tours all over the country, and was extremely well paid for her work; and

WHEREAS, Nancy was the first living trademark and became a wealthy superstar in the advertising world; and

WHEREAS, Nancy's financial freedom and stature as a national spokesperson enabled her to become a leading advocate against poverty and for equal rights for all Americans;

WHEREAS, Nancy continued working until her death in 1923, at the age of 89:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Ninth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that Nancy Green was a remarkable woman whose story has been sadly erased by politics, and the Aunt Jemima brand is a continued tribute to her remarkable life and her many gifts and talents.