 Born in Sherman, Texas as the daughter of Mattie Jefferson (1877-1955), Flowers showed an interest in dance from the age of seven when she performed at folk festivals.In 1904, she moved with her parents to Kansas City, Missouri, where as a nine-year-old she danced with friends in her backyard.As an African-American, it was not easy for her to embark on a professional dance career but in 1913 she was able to study voice, dramatics and pageantry at Kansas State Teacher's College where she became a member of the Orchesis Society dance club.