Constance Milstein

Attorney, Entrepreneur, Senior Business Executive, and Philanthropist

Attorney, Entrepreneur, Senior Business Executive, and Philanthropist.

Meet Connie

Taking care of our community

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“Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.”
– Winston Churchill

This week, Dog Tag Bakery made the difficult decision to temporarily close our Georgetown store in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This wasn’t an easy decision for our small business, but it’s the right thing to do for the health of our employees, fellows, customers, and everyone who is part of our community.

The bakery will be unable to serve the public in-store until it has been determined that we can safely operate. However, the online store remains open and products can be shipped nationwide. You can also purchase gift cards to use in the future or to give to friends and family.

Also, our fellowship program will continue virtually so that the veterans, military spouses and caregivers who are part of the program can continue their education. And I know they will come out of this even stronger having had the experience of helping to run a business in these circumstances.

While we are all in uncharted waters at this point in our country’s history, what we do know is that the American people are resilient and determined and there will be brighter days ahead. That doesn’t mean there won’t be people who are severely impacted – even if they never get sick – and for many of our friends and neighbors, the recovery will be very difficult once the crisis has passed. We are keeping everyone who is going through a challenging time in our thoughts and prayers, and we will do everything in our power to lift up the people in our community during and after this tragedy.

Until then, we appreciate everyone who has supported our program and bakery over the last few years, and we hope you and your family stay safe and healthy. And we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Please visit the Dog Tag Bakery website for more information about the program and current operations.

Celebrating the legacy of Fr. Rick Curry, S.J.

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In Father Rick Curry, S.J., I found a kindred spirit. We shared a passion for service and empowering others to build meaningful and purposeful lives.

Father Curry is no longer with us, but it’s important that we continue sharing his story. One of the ways we do that is to celebrate his life and legacy every year around his birthday on March 18.

When our paths first crossed many years ago, it was immediately clear that we were brought together to make a difference – or “bake a difference,” as we like to say at Dog Tag Inc.

We both have personal connections to the military community, particularly military spouses and veterans with service-related injuries. And we both believe in teaching a man or woman how to fish — providing a hand up, not a hand out.

It was a match made in heaven for a Jesuit father and this Jewish godmother to join forces and launch the Dog Tag program.

Father Curry was born into a middle-class Irish family in Philadelphia in 1943. At birth, he was missing his right forearm. That put him in a position of being uniquely familiar with the challenges faced by people with disabilities. Later in life, as a Jesuit priest, he was frequently called to counsel amputees. After 9/11, he was particularly inspired to help veterans with service-connected disabilities find meaning and gainful employment after serving our country.

Father Curry earned a doctorate in theater from NYU and founded National Theater Workshop of the Handicapped, a theater company and school that provided training and performing space for writers and performers with disabilities. He also founded the Wounded Warriors Writers’ workshop program. He truly lived a life of service for others.

Together in 2013, in the heart of Georgetown, we opened Dog Tag Bakery. But it was to be much more than a bakery. Soon after, we launched the Dog Tag fellowship program.

The five-month long fellowship offers military veterans with service-connected disabilities, military spouses, and caregivers a business education at Georgetown University (where Father Curry was an Adjunct Professor of Catholic Studies), hands-on learning and skills development in a real small business at Dog Tag Bakery, career exploration, business plan creation, and wellness practices. Fellows leave the program having had a holistic experience that prepares them for the next phase of their lives.

You can see Father Curry’s impact in the success of Dog Tag’s alumni. It’s inspiring to watch so many of these incredible individuals go on to find purpose as entrepreneurs, nonprofit founders, and community leaders. Their involvement in communities across the United States will produce countless positive outcomes for many years to come. Father Curry’s commitment to service continues to be an inspiration to us all.

Father Curry passed away on December 19, 2015. We miss him dearly, but his spirit lives on every day at Dog Tag Inc. In years past, we’ve celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and Father Curry’s birthday with a float in Washington, D.C.’s annual parade. We will be unable to have an in-person gathering this year, but many of us in the Dog Tag family will take personal moments throughout the day to honor his memory. On March 18, please join us in taking time to thank Father Curry for his service and contributions.

Celebrating Veterans During Black History Month

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In celebration of Black History Month, Dog Tag Bakery collaborated with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project to share the stories of three veterans who embody the values celebrated at Dog Tag – perseverance, a spirit of service, and following your purpose.

Every year, Dog Tag Fellows have the opportunity to learn about the Veterans History Project, which preserves and shares the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations can learn about and from the experiences of our nation’s veterans.

Read more: Dog Tag Celebrates Black History Month in Collaboration with Veterans History Project

Welcome Dog Tag Cohort 11!

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The Dog Tag family grew by 15 today as Cohort 11 begins its journey!

I look forward to seeing what this great group of veterans, military spouses, and caregivers will discover during their Dog Tag Fellowship experience. Follow Dog Tag on Facebook and Twitter for updates!