Hapsa Khan (Kurdish: حەپسەخان) was an early Kurdish feminist and nationalist leader who established Iraq's first women's school, known as the Kurdish Women's Association. Born in 1891 into a prominent Kurdish family in Sulaymaniyah, she played a crucial role in founding the first girls' school in the city in 1926. Described as a woman of influence, Lotte Errell, a German photographer, noted that Hapsa Khan held significant sway, even causing her husband to stand when she entered a room.
In 1920, Hapsa Khan married Sheikh Qadir Hafid, a Kurdish leader and brother of Mahmud Barzanji, a key figure in the Kurdish resistance against British occupation. Hapsa Khan actively supported the revolt by financing it, rallying support, and organizing protests in Sulaymaniyah. In 1930, she advocated for Kurdish rights and a Kurdish state by sending a letter to the League of Nations. Later, she backed the declaration of independence for the Republic of Mahabad in 1946 led by Qazi Muhammad.
Following her death in 1953, Hapsa Khan's home transformed into a school, leaving a lasting impact on Kurdish women. In 2019, Kurdistan24 reported that a fashion contest winner in Sulaymaniyah drew inspiration from Hapsa Khan's style for a traditional costume design, highlighting her enduring influence.
