The Silent Leader

Miriam doesn't get much mention in the Torah.  It is merely from a scriptural inference in Beshelach that we derive her prophesy of the berth of Moses.  Even the be'ar miriam, that in her merit the entire nation was supplied with water is only derived from the pessukim after her death.  This is in stark contrast from Moshe who is found in every parsha and even Aharon who is the Kohan Gadol and is found in many parshiout as well.  They are in the front, obviously leading the people but where is Miriam to be found?
We see from here that there are two types of leaders.  There are the leaders that are in the forefront clearly leading the people, setting forth policies and rules for the common folk. These people are openly recognized as the leaders.  There is a second type of leader as well.  That is the person taking care of all behind the scenes work.  They go unnoticed by the public but are by no means any less important than the leaders that are in the forefront.  She isn't in the public limelight but from behind she is pulling the strings.  That is the Miriam model.  Without Miriam indeed there is no Moshe; it was her prophesy that ensures that Moshe is born. 
(Based upon the observation by Rab Bakshi Doron, although he takes it as a lesson for the role of a woman, I think it can be a different model of a leader.)
The Gemorah in Moad Katan (28a) says א"ר אמי למה נסמכה פרשת מיתת מרים לפרשת פרה אדומה, לומר לך מה פרה אדומה מכפרת, אף מיתתן של צדיקים מכפרת.  Everyone wonders why compare it to the parah adumah and not to a korban?  And why is this limud stressed specifically by Miriam?   Possibly it is to allude to this idea.  The parah adumah is the חקת התורה, the quintessential chok.  Just as the parah's reason  is hidden, so too there are צדיקים that go unrecognized.  There death is not displayed across all the websites and billboards, yet their death is also if not more so, מכפר.