This woman needs your votes to win a grant so girls in Africa can have access to education [Video]

IDAHO FALLS – Payton McGriff attended the University of Idaho in hopes of pursuing a career in marketing analytics, but a book she read during her sophomore year changed her life and inspired her to change course.

The 30-year-old Idaho Falls native is the founder of Style Her Empowered — known as SHE — a nonprofit that empowers girls and women through education and employment. Since its launch in 2017, it’s provided 8,095 education sponsorships for girls in Togo, Africa who otherwise wouldn’t have access to these opportunities.

McGriff is one of five people nationwide in the running for CNN’s Hero of the Year award. If she wins, she’ll receive $100,000 in grants to support her cause.

To win, she needs to secure the most votes. Each person can vote for McGriff up to 10 times a day until Dec. 3. She’s asking for your support.

“CNN will be releasing a $50,000 match donation on Dec. 3 for Giving Tuesday. We’ll be doing a Giving Tuesday …