Guide to the Freda Lazier Alexander Papers and Photographs 1933-1970
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Freda Lazier Alexander Papers and Photographs
- Creator
- Alexander, Freda Lazier
- Collection Number
- MSS 836
- Extent
- 1.0 linear feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1933-1970
- Abstract
- Freda Lazier Alexander, born in 1912, was a local singer in the late 1930s. She was featured on local radio and with sang with bands throughout the region. In 1936, Lazier won a contest held by radio host Paul Whitman and was featured on national radio. After her singing career, Lazier Alexander was very active, locally and nationally, with the Jewish War Veteran's Ladies Auxiliary. The collection, which includes two scrapbooks and a script from "Paul Whitman's Musical Varieties", documents Freda Lazier Alexander's singing career and national presidency of the Jewish War Veteran's Ladies Auxiliary.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Freda Lazier Alexander was born in 1912 to Jewish-Lithuanian immigrant parents, Julius and Rebecca Lazier. She grew up in the Hill District where she attended Fifth Avenue High School. Later the family moved to Northumberland Street in Squirrel Hill. The family attended Beth Shalom Synagogue and one of her brothers, Samuel Lazier, was a cantor for the Beth El Congregation in Mt. Lebanon. After high school, Lazier began singing for local radio stations and at hotels with big bands. Her popularity allowed her to sing with famous singers of the big band era including Ted Lewis, Dick Powell, Will Roland and Gene Kelly. In 1936, she won several honors including KDKA Singer of the Week and Pittsburgh's best female vocalist for the Paul Whitman's Woodbury Hour Contest, where she sung on national radio. In 1941, Lazier married Dr. David Alexander. The couple settled in Pottstown, Pa and had two children: Barbara and Hillary. Lazier was very active in the Jewish War Veteran's Ladies Auxiliary. She not only served in local offices but also held several national offices including National President from 1969 to 1970. Freda Lazier Alexander died February 20, 2001.
Scope and Content Notes
The Freda Lazier Alexander Papers and Photographs collection consist of materials related both to Lazier's singing career as well as her involvement in the Jewish War Veteran's Ladies Auxiliary. Among the materials documenting her singing career are a scrapbook, photographs, a program from the Mayfair Casino, and newspaper clippings. The collection also houses the original radio script used for the Paul Whiteman's Musical Varieties April 26, 1936 show featuring Lazier as well as telegrams sent to Lazier following the show. There is also a CD copy of the Lazier's record which contains two recordings. The collection also contains a Jewish War Veterans Scrapbook, documenting the year Alexander was the National President of the Ladies Auxilary.
Conditions Governing Access
None
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Barbara Demsky in 2012.
Archives accession # 2012.0144
Preferred Citation
Freda Lazier Alexander Papers and Photographs, 1933-1970, MSS 836 , Jewish Archives, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Stephanie Johnson on 09/07/2012.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Subjects
- Jewish War Veterans Ladies Auxilary
- Musicians--Pennsylvania --Pittsburgh
- Jews--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.