A lot depends where you are playing on the neck which you didn't mention.

I just had a go on a spanish and two acoustics and can do a one and a half tone bend on each at the twelfth fret a la Hotel California solo on the B string - B string on the acoustics are 17 gauge. I use my ring finger for the bend supported by first and second behind it. Trying to do the same bend at the 6th fret is MUCH harder though still possible. I too have small hands but the guitar has a nice action. (At 12th fret on the same string it will go 2 tones but it's my friend and I like my fingers and my strings)

I think a lot is to do with the attack of your fingers and the belief you can do it - ie bend strongly early and push without fear of a string break.

Alternatively play with light gauge strings! Light gauge strings on an electric allow 2 and a half tones - eg Jimmy Page on Led Zepp 2 (can't remember the track but it has a lot of unaccompanied guitar on it) but I think he liked a banjo string on top occasionally