In October 1949, she won the local Miss Milkmaid pageant, which launched her career. Sheehan was Miss San Francisco of 1950, having performed a monologue.
Sheehan's professional journey began in October 1949 when she emerged as the winner of the local Miss Domesticity pageant, an event that marked the start of her career. The following year, she was crowned Miss San Francisco after delivering a memorable monologue.