GRIT: Girls Re-Imagining Tomorrow^®

Learn how ePlus is empowering middle school girls with STEM education, mentorship, and exposure to technology careers to inspire future leaders in cybersecurity and tech fields.

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GRIT logo

Women are significantly underrepresented in the technology sector and across many STEM fields globally, including in the U.S.

According to the World Economic Forum, women made up only 28.2% of the STEM global workforce in 2024. In non-STEM fields, women comprised 47.3% of the workforce.
Among research, women held less than one-third of research positions (UNESCO Institute for Statistics, UIS). UIS collects data on research and development (R&D) for over 40 countries by gender.

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GRIT overview video

Created in 2017 by ePlus Technology in partnership with Cisco, GRIT: Girls Re-Imagining Tomorrow^® was founded in direct response to the increasing shortage of cyber security professionals worldwide, particularly women. GRIT: Girls Re-Imagining Tomorrow^® exists for the sole purpose of introducing groups of primarily middle school girls to technology-focused career possibilities, with an emphasis on cyber security and AI (Artificial Intelligence).

We started GRIT to help girls understand what careers and positions are available to them, to highlight roles to which they can aspire and to encourage them to consider careers in technology.

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In addition to giving young, bright, female minds access to corporate executives, real-world experiences and hands-on examples of great opportunities. GRIT strives to:

Build confidence
Encourage them to explore, be curious and dream big
Inspire them in new ways
Empower them to believe in achieving their goals

Our programs provide not only education but mentorship in the areas of public speaking, online safety and stewardship skills and business etiquette. GRIT is also an attitude. We want to help young women develop the self-assurance and tenacity they need to succeed in their careers—and their lives.

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GRIT student holding certificate of completion

Behind the Scenes of GRIT

GRIT started small – with one willing and able middle school near our corporate headquarters – and one group of executives passionate to make a difference. As interest in the program has grown – so too has the program itself. GRIT now spans multiple schools across the U.S. and has successfully graduated more than 600 girls from the program.

Each local GRIT team/program is organized under the leadership of volunteers from both ePlus and Cisco, in communities surrounding our respective office locations. Our volunteers work with local middle school officials to identify a select group of girls to participate in our 16-week program.

During this program, the girls experience:

Presentations by technology leaders and innovators both in their community and more broadly
Field trips to local ePlus and Cisco offices, as well as those from other organizations who wish to be involved, for a ‘behind the scenes’ experience
Demos and hands-on activities for a closer look at IT and cyber security in action
Mentorship in the areas of public speaking, online safety and stewardship skills and business etiquette

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thank you cards from GRIT students

Why GRIT

While great strides have been made in the effort to bridge the gender gap between girls and boys in middle and high school math/science classes, girls pursuing higher education and careers in these fields continues to drop. Girls are more than capable of excelling in these areas but are choosing not to pursue them. We want to empower them to break those barriers and pave their own roads to success. We want to show them why it matters, why THEY matter, and how they can help others and contribute to the success of an organization, an industry, or a cause.

Get Involved

The GRIT team creates a sense of community within the program and will provide ongoing mentoring and assistance for the girls throughout their high school and college careers.

For more information about our GRIT program please contact us at GRIT@eplus.com