Payton McGriff, founder and CEO of Style Her Empowered (SHE) who is an Idaho Falls native, has been named a 2024 CNN Hero for her work creating sustainable education and women’s employment opportunities for girls and women in Togo, Africa.
She will be featured on a national CNN broadcast Friday, July 19, at 9 p.m. and Saturday, July 20, at 3 p.m., Mountain Time.
Founded as a class project in 2017, Payton was first introduced to Togo when she met Dr. Romuald Afatchao, a professor at the University of Idaho who is from Togo. SHE has since grown into a reputable international nonprofit organization, providing over 6,000 education sponsorships for girls, and employing 34 women full-time in Togo.
“We are so proud of Payton and the work the SHE team is doing in Togo,” shared Afatchao, mentor and Board Member to SHE. “The CNN Heroes recognition is a testament to the profound impact SHE is having in my community.”
Since the organization’s inception, SHE has been on a mission to empower girls and women through education and sustainable employment, fostering self-confidence, agency, and opportunities for a better future. To fulfill this commitment, SHE provides every student in their programs with a full-tuition scholarship, school supplies, reusable menstrual kit, year-round support from local tutors and staff in Togo, and a uniform designed to grow with each student.
Every SHE product is made locally by women who also receive educational opportunities and additional support.
“When a girl puts on her uniform for the first time, that’s one of the most joyous experiences that we get to witness,” said McGriff. “Poverty poses a tremendous barrier to girls’ education and a uniform is typically one of the more expensive requirements for school. However, providing school uniforms can also be one of the most cost effective ways to keep girls in school.”
On July 19, 2024, McGriff was named a 2024 CNN Hero for her work with SHE. In its 18 years, CNN Heroes has received nearly 100,000 nominations from people in more than 100 countries.
They’re working in all 50 U.S. states and more than 110 countries around the world, helping millions of people.
“I am incredibly honored to be a 2024 CNN Hero and I share this recognition with all of the inspiring girls and women that lead SHE every day. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share our story and the powerful impact of our programs with the world,” commented McGriff.
McGriff joins a distinguished community of past CNN Heroes, everyday people who have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact on their communities and world.
Founded in 2017 by McGriff, Style Her Empowered (SHE) is a nonprofit organization based in Boise and Togo, Africa, dedicated to creating sustainable education and employment opportunities for girls and women in Togo. To date, SHE has provided over 6,000 education sponsorships for girls in Togo that include school fees, supplies, tutoring, and innovative uniforms designed to grow with them — made locally by women who also receive educational opportunities. To learn more about SHE, visit www.StyleHerEmpowered.org.
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