After graduating from high school in 1967, she began her studies at the Teacher Training College inHagen, and in 1972 she became a teacher inEssen. In the same year, she joined the SPD (Social Democratic Party), for which she served on the Essen City Council from 1976 to 1987. In theGerman Bundestag, she most recently served on the Committee on Economic Cooperation and as a substitute member of the Health Committee.[2]