Biography

Katherine Lynette Isheim is a writer, actor, and director who is from Fresno, California, Her father Oscar, is of Ukrainian descent. Oscar served in the United States Army as a member of the last Mounted Calvary Unit. He was a wounded World War II Veteran, serving in Hawai'i during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, shooting incoming insurgent planes. Katherine's mother Hazel, (nee-Corley) is of African and European descent from Mansfield, Louisiana, and was a police officer with Fresno County Police Department, one of the first women to protect and serve in Fresno. Katherine made history as one of the first female Military Police Officers in the U.S. Army. Though her service ended honorably, she was forcibly separated from her role as an MP and investigator due to being outed as gay. Katherine became a correctional officer, and teacher to the incarcerated, shortly thereafter. A murder outside her prison classroom caused her to turn in her badge and begin teaching special needs elementary school students in Stockton, California.

While an instructor at Cleveland Elementary School the infamous Stockton schoolyard shooting took place. Five students were shot and killed and 32 others wounded. It is considered one of America's first mass school shootings. Shortly thereafter Katherine relocated to San Francisco and began her journey as an artist, feminist organizer, and gay rights activist. After suing the State of California, for discrimination Katherine left her home state.

Just before Hurricane Katrina, Katherine moved to South Louisiana to be closer to her Mothers ancestral home. After the devastation and revitalization of Louisiana, Katherine began working in the film industry, after suing Jefferson Parish School System for discrimination. Her first acting roles were on HBO's, Treme. Katherine has worked on dozens of projects as an actor, writer, director, associate producer of independent films, writer of projects showcasing the issues with prison industrial complex, and a co-founder of the Louisiana Rainbow Film Festival. Katherine as of 2025 is awaiting approval for Canadian citizenship.
- IMDb mini biography by: Dana Sherman

Mother, Hazel, was of African and European descent.

Father, Oscar, was the last member of mounted Calvary in the United States Army, and fought on the island of Hawaii. His family was of Ukrainian descent.

Katherine is among the first female military police officers (MP's) in the United States Army. She served during the Vietnam era.