Rebecca Sieff was born on February 1890 in Leeds, . After the First World War, in 1919, Mrs. Sieff conceived and established the Federation of Women Zionists of the . With the help of Vera Weizman, Olga Alman and Romana Goodman, she convinced the leadership of the English Zionist Federation to allow the establishment of a separate Federation of women, which will incorporate the smaller existing groups. On February 2, 1919, she became the first President of the Federation.  After her first visit to Eretz in 1920, Rebecca realized the urgent need to create an international organization to help women in the country. During her visit, Mrs Sieff met with women agriculturists, educationists and medical authorities to determine how they could help in solving the many problems which affected the settler population.   This practical approach was the foundation for the principles that guide WIZO until today:  The agricultural and domestic instruction of women and their preparation for life in Eretz ; The establishment of baby homes and welfare institutions for children; The encouragement of home industry In 1920, the first postwar International Zionist Annual Conference was called.  Subsequently, on July 11 1920, with Rebecca Sieff in the chair, a resolution was adopted to form the Women’s International Zionist Organization to promote the welfare of women and children – and to carry out specific tasks in the reconstruction of Eretz . WIZO had been founded.  

from: www.wizo.org