Emilia Potenza became politically active in the 1970s whilst a student at Wits University. In 1977 she joined the Wits-based organisation Catholic Soiety (Cathsoc), and became involved in political campaigns such as "Free Mandela", housing and removal issues and providing support to pressure groups and political prisoners. In 1980, with a diploma in education, she joined the National Education Union of South Africa (NEUSA) and campaigned for them on a national level. When NEUSA joined ranks with the newly formed South African Teachers Union in the early 1990s Potenza shifted her activities towards assistance in the formation of a democratic education system in South Africa.