Prior to 1811, Miranda was a peasant living in the countryside of North-Central El Salvador. On 5 November 1811, a major protest took place against the colonial government in San Salvador. During the protest, the crowd (led by Santiago José Celis and José Matías Delgado) demanded the removal of colonial officials and the complete independence of El Salvador from Spain. However, the movement was only partially successful, as many Salvadoreans still supported the government. Word of the revolt spread to the countryside, and Maria (along with her sister) joined the pro-Independence movement. Along with other rebels, they spread word of the rebellion and took control of the town of Sensuntepeque in December 1811.