[1][2][3] She grew up in Santa Helena del Opón, and began Baccalaureate studies in Bucaramanga, but when her mother became ill, she had to drop out of school to help raise her 17 brothers and sisters.

[3][4] It was during this period when she observed FARC members passing through their farm, taking inspiration from one of their commanders who was a woman giving orders to men.

[3] Two years later she was transferred to Cundinamarca Department and promoted to guard of the secretariat of the central general staff, which was in peace talks with the government of Belisario Betancur.

She later became the radio operator for Manuel Marulanda, a member of the FARC national secretariat, whom she met in November 1983.

[3] With the creation of the new Commons party, Ramírez was elected as a member of its national directorate, acting as its spokesperson several times, alongside its president, Rodrigo Londoño.