Biography

Graduated from high school in 1970, studied history and social sciences in Bonn, 1976 state examination for teaching at high schools, 1980 doctorate (Dr. phil.).

From 1976 to 1978, honorary position with the German Student Union; from 1978 to 1981, press officer for the SPD parliamentary group in the German Bundestag; from 1981 to 1990, spokeswoman for the North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of Finance; since 1991, Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment, Regional Planning and Agriculture of North Rhine-Westphalia, head of department for cross-border planning.

Member of IG Medien/ver.di, Arbeiterwohlfahrt, "Gegen Vergessen - Für Demokratie" ("Against Forgetting - For Democracy") and several cultural associations; member of the state board of Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge. Deputy member of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Museum Berlin. Member of the Board of Trustees of the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt. Member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Cultural Foundation.

Member of the SPD since 1972, chairwoman of the Kleve District SPD since 1989, member of the party council from 1990 to 2001, member of the federal party executive committee since November 2001; member of the North Rhine-Westphalia SPD state executive committee from 1987 to 2001, treasurer from 1996 to 2001; member of Kleve District Council from 1984 to 1989.

Member of the Bundestag since 1994; Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Finance since October 27, 1998.
- IMDb mini biography by: Christian_Wolfgang_Barth