Ginnie Ely, born Virginia Alice Wilson, was raised up in Des Moines, Iowa, attended the University of Colorado where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Education (P.E.) in 1958, did a year of study in dance at Julliard, then later attended Massachusetts College of Art and received a Master’s degree in Art Education (portfolio in pottery) in 1976. In the early years she taught dance and swimming at Howard University in Washington, DC before staying home and raising her children. Thereafter she taught dance and pottery in various adult education settings.