Women Who Inspire Us: Sapahn's 'Name That Bag' Honorees
Discover the inspiring women behind Sapahn's 'Name That Bag' campaign. From Nora's empathy to Kelly's community leadership, these honorees embody strength, resilience, and the spirit of women supporting women.
At Sapahn, we believe in the power of stories. Each bag we create carries more than just style—it carries a legacy. Through our 'Name That Bag' campaign, we've honored five incredible women whose lives and actions inspire us daily. These women embody the essence of strength, resilience, and compassion, and their stories are woven into the very fabric of our designs.
The 'Name That Bag' Journey
Our 'Name That Bag' campaign began as a way to celebrate women who make a difference in their communities. Each year, we invite our community to nominate someone whose strength, story, or spirit deserves to be carried forward. From quiet champions to bold trailblazers, these women have left their mark—not just on those who love them, but now on our designs, too.
The Nora Tote
The Nora Tote is named after Nora, the mother of one of our customers. Her daughter Margo shared:
“Nora has a heart of gold, a career of service, a spirit of adventure, and a steadfast belief in the power of empathy, qualities that mirror the philosophy of Sapahn. Nora grew up riding horses on a farm in Nebraska, went to law school, raised five kids, and decided to get her first passport at the age of 60 to go visit her daughter in Mozambique in the Peace Corps. Margo tries to live by Nora's abiding belief that you just have to put yourself in someone else’s shoes to start to understand one another.”
Nora's story reminds us that it's never too late to embark on new adventures and that empathy is a powerful tool for connection. Shop the Nora Tote here
2019: Jori Crossbody
The Jori Crossbody honors Jori, a local business owner nominated by Meg Hasselbach, founder of Paper Kite:
"She’s the hardest working woman I know. She's an inspiration. When she opened the doors to Pattino Shoes, she opened the door for so many other women. She's inspired many others, myself included, to take a risk and own a small business. She’s been in business over 17 years and still does it with such integrity, creativity and compassion. Not to mention she's the most stylish lady in town!"
Jori’s dedication to her business and community exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurship and the importance of supporting one another. Shop the Jori Crossbody here.
Spring 2024: Lily Crossbody
The Lily Crossbody is named after Lily, the daughter of one of our customers. Her mother Suzanne shared Lily’s inspiring journey:
“Lily was a straight A student, a star athlete, and on student council when a blow to the head in a basketball game changed everything. She has GRIT, she is BRAVE, she is AMAZING and her dad and I are so proud of her.”
Lily’s resilience and commitment to helping others highlight the importance of perseverance and community support. Shop the Lily Crossbody here
Fall 2024: Dominique Sling Bag
The Dominique Sling Bag is named after Dominique, a local leader in Nebraska. Her nominator, Stasi, shared:
“This woman fights for what she believes in and, more importantly, fights for the rights of those who are marginalized. She leads the BGC of Lincoln as CEO and is providing the youth of Lincoln with programs that keep them busy, engaged, and prosperous. She’s a force!!"
Dominique’s leadership and advocacy for marginalized communities inspire us to stand up for what is right and to create opportunities for all. Shop the Dominique Sling Bag here
Fall 2025: Kelly Shoulder Bag
The Kelly Shoulder Bag is named after Kelly Ross, founder of ECHO Collective. Her friend Hayley Piippo nominated her, saying:
“I am nominating Kelly Ross, the founder of ECHO Collective, to have a Sapahn bag named after her not just because of what she does, but because of who she is. She is walking proof that when women pour into other women, magic happens and that is the essence of Sapahn. Kelly Ross is not just worthy of this honor. She is exactly the kind of woman it was made for.”
Kelly’s dedication to empowering refugee and immigrant women through community and economic opportunity embodies everything Sapahn stands for. Shop the Kelly Shoulder Bag here
Behind every Sapahn bag is a woman whose story deserves to be carried forward. These honorees inspire us to lead with heart and live with purpose.
Carry their legacy. Shop the collection
