Women played important roles in the moshavot (villages), the pioneer settlement form created by the Jews in Palestine at its formative period 1882-1914. Various types of women in the moshava had significant roles in creating the “new Jew” of the second generation and in establishing and consolidating the moshavot.

Belkind-Hankin was a professional midwife active in Palestine in the early 20th century. Born near Minsk, she traveled to Palestine in 1886 and ended up remaining there. She settled in Jaffa with her husband, Yehoshua Hankin and became well known for her midwifery skills; she was most likely the first professional midwife in the country.