SHERMAN, Texas (KTEN) — Wakefield Elementary School Principal Eartha Linson joined the celebration of International Women's Day on Wednesday.

"I just would like to say to all women: Congratulations! Embrace your success, embrace who you are, and continue to move forward," said Principal Eartha Linson. "Women have suffered and come through with their education and hopefully with promotions because they're qualified, and we have to prepared ourselves."

Linson began her career as an eighth grade teacher about 25 years ago. Now she's in her eighth year as Wakefield principal. 

"We put a lot of work in working with teachers, making sure we have the right teachers on campus who understand the social and emotional needs of students," she said.

Cpl. Talia Riffe began her career with the Sherman Police Department in 2015.

"It's very rewarding at the end of the day to know you've been able to help people, sometimes at the worst moments of their life," she said. "When you do encounter those people that are grateful for your service and grateful that you're there, really means a lot."

Her word of advice to other women is to go after what you want. 

"If you want to go get it, it's out there," Riffe said. "You just have to pull up your bootstraps and get out there and do what you want."