Candy Sheehan is a wife and mother who has been given incredible opportunities and challenges in her life.  She is a fifth generation Texan and has lived in Coppell 26 years with her husband Tom.  They have two children- Zac, 23 years old, and Alissa, 20 years old who is a junior at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Zac lives in Dallas with a roommate and personal attendants.  Zac was born with developmental disabilities but has learned to live happily with a roommate and supervised care in Dallas, near SMU.

After the birth of her son, Candy knew knowledge meant empowerment.  She became an advocate not only for her son but for all children with special needs.  Candy helped write and pass legislation at the state and federal level as well as became a recognized leader as a parent advocate.

In 1994 Candy made the decision to influence policy in her hometown.  She won an election to the City Council and became the first female Mayor of Coppell in 1997.  She served her city for six years as Mayor. As Mayor, Candy worked on regional transportation and air quality issues and continued to volunteer in her children's schools. In 2003 she decided not to run for re-election to spend more time with her children in high school and for herself.  Candy joined a triathlon/running club, Dallas Athletes, and Community Bible Study, a weekly, non-denominational bible study for women.

The month her daughter was graduating from high school Candy was diagnosed with breast cancer.  This was a shock to Candy because she had been living a healthy lifestyle for many years.  She had been exercising daily, competing in triathlons, and eating the “right food” for years.  Candy faced this challenge as she had faced other trials in her life: with faith, family, and friends.  After several surgeries, six chemotherapy treatments Candy completed her goal of crossing the finish line at Ironman Florida.  Candy says “God gave her the perfect day to race 140.2 miles baldheaded”!