Gail Collins

Gail Collins is an American journalist, op-ed columnist and author, most recognized for her work with The New York Times. Joining the Times in 1995 as a member of the editorial board, she served as the paper's Editorial Page Editor from 2001 to 2007 and was the first woman to attain that position. Collins writes a weekly op-ed column for the Times from a liberal perspective, which is published on Thursdays. She co-authors a blog with conservative journalist Bret Stephens entitled "The Conversation," at NYT online, featuring bi-partisan political commentary.

Collins is an author of several significant works about women's history, including "America's Women: Four Hundred Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates and Heroines," "When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present," and her latest book, "No Stopping Us Now: A History Of Older Women In America." Collins is renowned for her insightful research and historical perspective, combined with her characteristic wit and humanity. Her work offers a detailed and engaging account of women's social and political history in America.

Collins has been a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board since 2013. She is also noted for her lectures on American women's history, where she discusses both iconic and ordinary women's struggles and successes. Furthermore, Collins engages audiences with her talks on political gossip and scandal in American history, notably through her lecture "Scorpion Tongues: Gossip, Scandal, and American Politics." Collins earned a Bachelor's degree in journalism at Marquette and a Master's in government at the University of Massachusetts. Before joining The Times, she was a columnist at New York Newsday and the New York Daily News, and a reporter for United Press International. Her early journalism career began in Connecticut, where she founded the Connecticut State News Bureau, providing coverage of the state capitol and Connecticut politics.