Rekha Basu

Rekha Basu has been a columnist for The Des Moines Register since late 1991, focusing on human rights, racial and gender issues, and commenting on cultural trends. She also hosts a weekly web-based talk show, "Between the Lines." She has been a reporter, editorial writer, and columnist at newspapers in Iowa, New York, and Florida. Her byline has appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, The International Herald Tribune, and The Nation, among other publications. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, a masters in political economy from Goddard Cambridge Graduate School (where she subsequently taught), and a B.A. in sociology from Brandeis University. She graduated from the United Nations International School in New York. She is a frequent public speaker and has made guest appearances on C-Span, CNN, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and National Public Radio. Rekha has received many honors, including an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Grinnell College and the Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice from the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.