Alvera Frederic facts for kids

Alvera Rita Kalina (born Frederic, October 21, 1921 – April 5, 2014) was an American woman with mixed racial heritage. She chose to live as a white person. After she got married, she kept her true family background a secret from her children. Her daughter, Gail Lukasik, later wrote a book about her mother's story. The book is called White Like Her: My Family's Story of Race and Racial Passing.

Alvera's Early Life and Family History

Alvera Rita Frederic was born in 1921 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her parents were Camille Kilbourne and Azemar Alfred Frederic. In the official census records from Louisiana, Alvera was listed as 'Col', which meant 'colored'.

What "Passing as White" Meant

In the past, especially in the southern United States, there were unfair rules about race. The "one-drop rule" meant that if a person had even one ancestor who was Black, they were considered Black. This was true even if they looked white.

Alvera's father, Azemar, had ancestors who were listed as 'B' (Black) in the 1900 census. This included his mother, Celeste Girard Frederic, and his grandfather, Albert Girard. Because of the "one-drop rule," Alvera was considered Black.

However, in the 1930 census, Alvera's father, Azemar, was listed as 'W' (white). By 1940, Alvera herself was listed as 'black' in the census. At that time, she worked in a teashop.

Moving North and Keeping a Secret

Four years later, Alvera moved north to Ohio. There, she married Harold Kalina, who was a white man. Like some other Black Americans at that time, Alvera decided to live as a white person. She did this to get better opportunities and to avoid the unfair treatment that Black people often faced.

Alvera was afraid that her friends would find out her "secret." She never told her children about their true racial heritage.

A Daughter's Discovery

In 1997, Gail Lukasik, Alvera's daughter, began researching her family history. She found out that her mother was listed as 'colored' on her birth certificate and in the census. Gail showed this information to her mother.

At first, Alvera denied it. But then, she broke down and confessed her secret. She made Gail promise not to tell anyone, not even Gail's brother, until after Alvera had died. Gail kept this promise for 17 years.

After learning the truth, many of Alvera's habits made more sense to Gail. For example, Alvera always wore makeup to bed. She also had a fear of sunlight and kept her house extremely neat.

Gail eventually told her husband and children about their family's heritage. Her children were not bothered by this new information.

Sharing the Story on TV

Gail's son, who was studying for his PhD, helped research their family history. Their story was chosen to be featured on a TV show called Genealogy Roadshow. The show did more research and even a DNA test.

The show helped trace Gail's family back to a free man of color named Leon Frederic. He was Alvera's great-grandfather. Leon Frederic served in the Louisiana Native Guards during the Civil War.

Gail Lukasik kept her mother's secret for seventeen years. After her mother passed away, Gail published her family's story in the book, White Like Her: My Family's Story of Race and Racial Passing.