Crowned Miss America 2002 in the days following the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Katie Harman's reign set her apart, as did her performance of a beloved Puccini aria to clinch the title.
Katie's official duties as Miss America helped shape her into a compassionate, service-driven woman. In the wake of 9-11 she traveled the nation 20,000 miles a month, meeting directly with rescue workers at Ground Zero and the Pentagon, family members of those lost in the attacks, military officials, the President and First Lady, government officials, and thousands upon thousands of concerned American citizens. In addition, she aimed the Miss America spotlight at supporting breast cancer patients and championing comprehensive cancer care, converging with patients, medical professionals, health care advocacy groups, pharmaceutical manufacturers, legislators, businesses, students, media entities, and many more. Her work as an advocate was featured by numerous media outlets, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN with Paula Zahn, Late Night with David Letterman, People Magazine and The Washington Post, and was also honored by Fox Chase Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Metcalf Institute of Radiation Oncology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and the Cancer Research Foundation of America.
In the final months of her reign, Katie joined with all 50 State Titleholders of the 2001 Miss America Pageant to author and publish a joint memoir of their experiences in competition during 9-11, as well as the incredible acts of service they witnessed throughout post 9-11 America in the year following competition. Under the Crown has since become a best-loved book among pageant fans. Katie and the Class of 2001's historic pageant experience was also featured on A&E Television's 2011 documentary, "When Pop Culture Saved America."
With the scholarship assistance she earned from the Miss America Organization, Katie earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Portland State University (2005) and a Masters of Music Performance from Southern Oregon University (2017).
In 2020, Katie was entrenched in exploration of the world of hidden female composers. After extensive research and interaction with fellow female creatives expressing struggles universal to the ones she was uncovering in her historical research, in 2023 she founded Virtuosa Society as a membership collective of female creatives and a resource platform offering development and networking opportunities. Concurrently, Katie also launched the Virtuosa Society Podcast and it has gained a loyal following with thousands of downloads each episode.
Katie has been married to Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tim Ebner for 20 years. They met while he was serving the USAF as an F-15 fighter pilot as she was making an appearance on base as Miss America. Together they call beautiful Klamath Falls, Oregon home alongside their two children, Tyler (18, a freshman at OSU) and Victoria (15, a freshman in high school). Katie has proudly served her local community on BODs for the Ross Ragland Theater and CASA of Klamath County, and has owned and operated Härman(e) Vocal Studios for 15 years.
Learn more about Katie at www.katieharman.com or on social media @katieharmanebner
