Rebekah Rhodes, aka Dina Harding, is a graduate of Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. She is a former Hoosier who holds B.S. degrees in Telecommunications and Theater. She moved to Michigan from Indiana in 1986, after accepting an invitation to bring her popular Evening Country Music Magazine to the newly formed WCXI-W4 Country combo. At that time Rebekah was busy interviewing Carl Perkins, Randy Travis, B.B. King, Alan Jackson, the Judds and countless other celebrities.
Her program was well received and midway through its second year, Rebekah was offered the morning co-host position on W4 Country, 106.7 FM. She accepted and soon teamed up with native Detroiter Joe Wade Formicola for the next five years. The morning show was successful in Detroit; it won a CMA (Country Music Award) and received national recognition. During that period, Rebekah was honored to represent Detroit as the guest hostess of Lon Helton's popular syndicated program "Nashville Live".
In 1992, Rebekah left W4 Country but continued to work in the Detroit market, broadcasting morning news at WLTI-FM, 93.1 (now known as DOUG FM) hosting a talk show on CKLW, 800 AM, Windsor, Canada and working on staff at her church as the Music/Worship Leader and the Telecommunications Director. Over the next 5 years, she and her support team built a thriving radio/television ministry in Detroit, Washtenaw and Monroe counties.
In 1997, Rebekah joined Dick Purtan and Purtan's People as the morning traffic reporter. Years later, Rebekah is producing the show and enjoys being a part of the team.
On the personal side, Rebekah's first husband, David, died of Huntington's disease, a hereditary degenerative brain disease in the fall of 2002. Since his death, Rebekah has dedicated her life to Huntington's awareness and education. She has remarried and recently moved just beyond the Downriver area where she resides with her husband Wayne and daughter Jordan Marie.
Rebekah is an inspirational speaker. Her message: "Keeping the Joy in the Midst of Trials and Tribulation." She speaks regularly at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, women's events, annual corporate banquets, churches and support groups, emphasizing the need for a stronger commitment to God and marriage.
In 2003, Rebekah was honored to be the keynote speaker at the annual Huntington's disease Convention in Lansing. (A video presentation of her speech at that event continues to be presented at support group meetings throughout the state of Michigan) Rebekah returned to speak at the 2008 H.D. State Conference in September.
She also does an annual program in May on WOMC Radio during "Huntington's Awareness Month."
If you would like to contact Rebekah regarding a speaking engagement or would like information about Huntington's disease, feel free to e-mail her at Rebekah@WOMC.com.
