HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio — As new county leaders are sworn into office across the state this week, there’s excitement for change in our communities. In Hamilton County, that excitement shows as several women break barriers in their positions.

For commissioner Alicia Reece — the first woman and African American elected to city, state and county — it means opening the door for little girls in her community.

“It’s each of our responsibilities to make it easier, better, open the door a little wider for the next generation to come," said Reece. "So, when my nieces look at me or other young ladies or girl dads look at their daughters, I want them to know that there is no glass ceiling; you can achieve your dreams.”

For Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, the first woman and openly-gay sheriff in the county, she dreamed of becoming a police officer when she was just 14 years old. But when she told her uncle, the idea was shot down.

“He promptly told me when I told him my dream that I wanted to be a police officer, well, ‘Women can’t be police officers! You’ve got to find a different thing,'" McGuffey said.

McGuffey said that inspired her to conquer that goal and get to the top. She said searching for women role models was difficult, but she hopes her story will inspire other young women.

“It meant a tremendous amount to me to have those women," McGuffey said. "And now, I hope that there will be so many that little girls won’t have to search. They won’t have to search for a role model, they’ll be right there.”

Reece agreed and said with more women of all backgrounds in public office in Hamilton County, it allows more young women to see themselves there.

“It’s a new era, and if you’re qualified, you should be able to get the job no matter what your race, your background is — you should be able to participate. So, we break those glass ceilings today with women in office in the county of Hamilton County," Reece said.

Both women said getting to this point wasn’t easy.

“Me, coming in those three different arena’s — city, state and county — it was not easy," Reece said. "There were obstacles in our way. We had to fight.”

But getting through the fight is what has brought them together.

“It makes me more confident to know that there are other women out there who are achieving, who are making policy and who are holding public office in such a dynamic way," McGuffey said.