Deborah apparently was judge in Israel before Gideon.
Here is another Bible verse about her. Judges 5:7 "Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, Until I, Deborah, arose, Arose a mother in Israel."
If you read further it is like a rebuke on some of the "rulers" of the day. Those who should have been ready to stand with the people. Pretty amazing section of scripture because of the prominence of women. Kind of the moment we are at in the US right now.
http://web.mit.edu/jywang/www/cef/Bible/NIV/NIV_Bible/JUDG+5.html