[1][2] Between 1955 and 1959 she studied at the institute for teacher training in Rochlitz and received a degree in teaching.

[2] Labs joined the Rochlitz branch of the Free German Youth organization in 1956 and served as its secretary between 1959 and 1960.

[2] In 1974 she was named as the head of the Ernst Thälmann Pioneer Organisation, a youth organization, replacing Egon Krenz in the post.

[2][3] Lab's tenure lasted until 1985,[2] and she was replaced by Wilfried Poßner in the post.

[5] In November 1989 she was appointed minister of public education, replacing Margot Honecker in the post.