Blanche Ames was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, to Adelbert Ames, a Union Army General and Governor of Mississippi, and Blanche Butler Ames, a writer and activist. She was born into a family of significant political and intellectual influence.

Growing up in a politically active household, Blanche was exposed to discussions about social justice and equality from a young age. Her mother fostered her interest in art and writing.

Ames began her formal artistic training at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This period marked the beginning of her development as a skilled painter and illustrator, focusing initially on traditional techniques and subjects.

Ames enrolled at Smith College, where she studied art and continued to develop her artistic skills. At Smith, she became involved in social and intellectual circles, broadening her perspective and laying the groundwork for her future activism.