At age 33, Scholastique Picou Breaux founded the Village of Breaux Bridge by drawing up the Plan de la Ville du Pont Breaux, which included land for a school, a church, a diagram of streets, and a detailed map of the area that included her late husband's bridge. She then sold lots and established Breaux Bridge's founding date as August 5, 1829. Born Scholastique Melanie Picou on July 25, 1796, she married young, had five children, and was widowed at age 32. Motivated by financial troubles, she developed her plan for the village, later remarried, and bore two more children. Her story speaks of the unflagging determination and indomitable courage of Acadian women, and she symbolizes the Acadians of Louisiana. In August 1999, a reunion of more than 500 Breaux descendants was held in Breaux Bridge in conjunction with Congres Mondial, and Breaux du Monde made a significant contribution to the statue erected to her.