Saint Clare of Assisi was truly St. Francis' partner in Christ. She was the first female member of the Franciscan community. She fought against the whole Franciscan community, including popes, to maintain the original Rule of St. Francis. After his death, she spent the rest of her life caring for her ladies. She would not even die before her rule for the Poor Clares was approved by the Pope. Clare is a role model for all women in headship, not exclusively of the Church, but especially of the Church. She may very well have been placed on this earth to be a prototype for Superiors of Religious Communities, male and female, for centuries to come.