Mrs. Codey was a member of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Essex County, which honored both she and the Governor for their mental health advocacy efforts in 1995. Mrs. Codey also pioneered a post-partum depression support group that began at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in 1994 and which continues to operate today. Codey's stressed that mental illnesses are diagnosable and treatable and that people do recover.

Over 225 women attended the event, from corporations such as State Farm Insurance and Novartis, small businesses such as Timeline Promotions and Refresh and Renew, non-profits such as Family Service of Morris County and Mental Health Association of Morris County, and the community-at-large. Money raised from the event will support United Way of Morris County's Help for People in Crisis Action Team.

Mrs. Codey was introduced by John Geppert, the volunteer chair of the Help for People in Crisis Action Team, who also noted that United Way of Morris County was deeply committed to local programs that help those suffering with mental illnesses, with 35% of the Action Team's budget supporting such programs. Guests at the event donated disposable cameras and picture frames to Project Homecoming, a United Way of Morris County project supporting local military families. Donated items will go into a gift basket that will be presented to over 100 National Guard soldiers returning from Iraq as the community's show of gratitude.

For more information about the Women's Leadership Initiaitive, please email Amanda Boyadjis.