Even at a young age, Ben was active in the cause for social justice, particularly combatting poverty among Algeria's indigenous population.[1] At 14 she became the president of the Young Communists.[1] She was also active in the Women's Union, and through the organization's sponsorship became a school teacher in the town of Miliana.[1] She and her fellow teachers instructed the students — mostly Muslim and impoverished — but also endeavored to raise their political consciousness and promote a decolonized sense of history.[1]