Born in Evanston, Kate Shindle
graduated in 1999 from Northwestern University’s School
of Communication with a major in Theater. Honors earned at Northwestern
included winning the
WAA-MU Outstanding Contribution Award with her rousing performance
of the song "Don't Rain On My
Parade." On September 13, 1997, Shindle was crowned Miss
America. Her platform during her reign was AIDS education and
advocacy, an area in which she did volunteer work for several
years, and which eventually took her as a panelist and moderator
to the 12th World AIDS Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. After
leaving Northwestern, Shindle has successfully pursued a theatrical
career in New York, where her Broadway roles have included
Sally Bowles in Cabaret. She has also been a special correspondent
for NBC'S Today, appeared in films, made a number of recordings,
and participated in AIDS benefit events.
