The Lafayette Founders Committee was created in January 1974 by the incumbent mayor, Kenneth F. Bowen. The first chairperson, the late Mrs. J.C. Chargois, came up with the idea of the committee to honor the mayor of Lafayette and to post their photographs in the municipal building. On March 27, 1974, photographs of Lafayette’s 16 mayors were presented to the city for display.

The first Founders Committee publication in 1976 was “The Mayors of Lafayette, 1884-1976.” Subsequent publications have included “Sheriffs of Lafayette, 1976”, The History of Recreation in Lafayette, 1976”, “Superintendents of Education in Lafayette Parish, 1978”, and “Chiefs of Police, City of Lafayette, 1979.” “Clerks of Court of Lafayette Parish, 1866-1984” is dedicated to Chargois.

Original Founders Committee members included Mrs. J. Lewis Broussard, Mrs. Voorhies Gassie, Mrs. Mabel Hawkins, Miss Marie “Mario” Mamalakis, J. Alfred Mouton, and Mrs. Ben Thibodeaux. Current members include Jeanne and Robert C. Gilmore (co-chairpersons), Miss Lurnice Begnaud, Broussard, Gassis, Hawkins, Mrs. Altha Lee Chargois Kennedy, Mrs. P.B. LeBlanc, Mamalakis, and Mrs. Kaliste Saloom.