St. Deborah (11th c. B.C.) was a godly widow and saint of the Old Testament. She was a courageous prophetess and champion of the Israelites. All Israel came to her to judge their disputes, and God prophesied to Israel through her. She was Israel’s only female judge. Her role as the military leader who defended the Israelites is commemorated in the Bible’s “Song of Deborah.” It was her military counter-attack against Sisera at Mount Tabor that successfully delivered Israel’s enemies into their hands. As prophetess, she foretold that Israel would have peace for 40 years following this victory. St. Ambrose and St. Jerome observed that St. Deborah is a good role model for the encouragement of courageous, godly women. Her feast day is November 1st.