Collins was born in Detroit, Michigan, graduated from the public schools there and attended Wayne State University. She was a member of the Detroit Region I public school board, 1971-1973; a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives, from the 21st District, 1975-1981; and a member of the Detroit City Council, 1982-1991.

In 1988, she lost a primary election to the incumbent U.S. Representative for Michigan's 13th District, George W. Crockett, Jr.. Crockett did not run in the 1990 election and Collins was elected as a Democrat from Michigan's 13th District to the United States House of Representatives for the 102nd and to the two succeeding Congresses, serving from January 3, 1991 to January 3, 1997. After redistricting due to the 1990 U.S. Census, Collins represented Michigan's 15th District in the 103rd and 104th Congresses. Controversy unsettled her tenure in Congress, which ultimately caused her to lose her seat. The U.S. Justice Department and the House Ethics Committee investigated allegations that she had misused her office, campaign and scholarship funds. She also caused considerable controversy after she fired a homosexual aide because she was afraid that he might carry AIDS. The aide filed a greivance, and won back pay and reimbursement of legal expenses from Collins. As a result, in 1996, Collins lost in the primary election to an old friend, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, who was subsequently elected to the seat in Congress.

Collins was again elected to the Detroit city council in 2001 and 2005. Her current term expires in 2009.

Preceded by: Bill Ford United States Representative for the 15th Congressional District of Michigan 1993 - 1997 Succeeded by: Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick