Kate Norley was born and raised in the United States. At the age of 16, she was involved in a serious accident when she was struck by a car while riding her bicycle to a soccer game. The accident resulted in a severe head injury, requiring her to relearn basic skills such as reading and writing. She later attended Episcopal High School in Arlington, Virginia, a boarding school known for its academic rigor.
Motivated by the events of September 11, 2001, Norley enlisted in the U.S. Army. She served in the 1st Cavalry Division based at Fort Hood, Texas. During her deployment to Iraq, she worked as a combat medic in Fallujah and later served as a mental health specialist in Ramadi, where she provided counseling to soldiers returning from combat. Despite the risks she faced while in a war zone, Norley remained committed to her mission and encouraged young women in Iraq to take part in rebuilding their country.
After her military service, Kate Norley became an advocate for veterans' rights. She joined Vets for Freedom, an organization founded by veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The group supports political candidates who align with its objectives on military and foreign policy issues. Norley has remained active in promoting the needs and voices of American service members.
