Marie Glass, former Pequea Valley School District teacher and current volunteer at The Factory Ministries, cannot remember how she first became interested in African violets, but she knows she first started growing them in the 1970s.

Marie's early ventures with the tiny purple flowers involved fellow members of a Leacock Presbyterian Church Sunday school class who worked with her to grow hundreds of plants that were sold in the church basement to raise funds for the newly opened Welsh Mountain Medical Center. "We sold starter plants for 25 cents a pot," recalled Marie, who stated that the same size plant now sells for nearly $10. "We sold enough to make $1,800 for the medical center."

Two years ago, Marie started Purple People, a series of eight classes held each spring at The Factory. "Every week we learn about a different type of violet and the people who grow them," said Marie, who provides all the supplies and literature for the classes. "We learn about bugs and diseases." Students are also familiarized with the resources to identify violets registered with the African Violet Society of America. "There are about 15,000 international registered violets," said Marie, who keeps 450 varieties among the 600 plants at her home. Marie shares stories of hybridizers, some of whom have faced great adversity, to offer encouragement to students. During the eight weeks, participants learn how to grow their own violets and fix their mistakes. A flower show is held at the end of the sessions, and the students officially become "Purple People." The group meets the second Thursday of every month at The Factory. "We discuss and share leaves" said Marie, who is creating a game called LEAFO that will be similar to bingo. Twenty Purple People have completed the program, and up to seven attend the monthly meetings.

Marie's interest in starting Purple People was born of a trip to Russia she took in 2013 with her husband, Richard. Through a New York state violet grower, the couple was able to meet Vladimir Kelgin, known as the man who brought African violets to Russia, at his violet shop in Moscow. Kelgin explained to Marie that violets are only for beauty. "They aren't like potatoes (that you can eat)," said Marie. "He wanted to bring beauty to Russia."

Following the trip, Marie has kept in touch with Kelgin when he visits the U.S. "I have this ring that is engraved with the Russian word for violet," said Marie. "It's to remind me of his hospitality and what he's doing bringing beauty to the Russian people. I kept thinking I could bring beauty to The Factory participants."

In November 2023, when she was a vendor at the Mid-Atlantic African Violet Society show in Gettysburg, Marie entered a number of plants she had showered with extra love and attention. She won five best in class awards, along with best miniature and semi-miniature in show. "I was floating," recalled Marie. "I never (expected to win). That gave me a real lift."

For more information about the next Purple People session, readers may call 717-687-9594.