When the baby Moses was hidden in the reeds by the Nile River, his sister Miriam watched over the child and summoned a nurse from among the Hebrew women. Later, after they had crossed the Red Sea and the Egyptian army had been drowned, Miriam led the song and dance of the Hebrew women. When Miriam complained about Moses’ leadership God afflicted her with leprosy for a time. Miriam died at Kadesh-barnea in the wilderness.