The Iberia Cultural Resources Association will conduct its winter meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, at which time Nicholls State University Associate Professor Charlotte Pipes will present the contributions of women to the development of New Orleans in the early 18th century.

During Pipes’ presentation, she will tell the story of a “casket girl” by the name of Marie Louise Mariette who lived from 1712 to 1752.

When Pipes decided to focus her research on colonial Louisiana, she later narrowed her interest down to the women who helped in the development of the French colonies. Pipes will detail life during times when there was slow population growth, and women were recruited by the French government to board trading vessels headed to the new colonies in America for the purpose of marrying upon their arrival.

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Club organizer Cathy Indest recently reinstated the Iberia Cultural Resources Association in memory of her mother, who was a member during the 1970s.

Indest has said the group’s objectives include restoring the historical markers on Main Street and having them translated, not only into French as they currently are, but also into Spanish. She also has plans to bring the Acadiana Symphony to New Iberia for a concert, provide classes in French, Spanish and etiquette for children and sponsor historical lectures and exhibits of Iberia Parish college-age artists.

This week’s meeting will be at the Parkview branch library.

Dues to join are $10 per year for individuals, $15 per year for families and $150 for a lifetime membership. Meetings are open to the public. There is no cost to see Pipes’ performance.