Constance J. Milstein

Attorney, Businesswoman, Humanitarian, and Social Entrepreneur

Attorney, businesswoman, humanitarian and social entrepreneur.

Meet Connie

Petersen House to Re-Open Following Renovations

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After being shot at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was moved to William Petersen’s boarding house across the street from the theatre, where he later died. The Petersen House, which is now part of the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site, has most recently undergone a period of extensive renovation and repair work. The building’s rehabilitation included exterior repairs; an interior overhaul; repairs to the historic windows, casings, doors and shutters; and the installation of a new climate management system. The Petersen House will reopen to the public on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, according to a recent announcement by the National Park Service.

One of the biggest changes to the Petersen House while it was under renovation was the new connection between the House and the adjacent Ford’s Theatre Society Center for Education and Leadership, which will open in February of next year. Visitors will be able to easily travel between the place of Lincoln’s death and the Center’s exhibits on the life, legacy and leadership lessons of the sixteenth president. The addition of an elevator to the Petersen House is also noteworthy, as it will finally allow universal access to the room in which President Lincoln died while still preserving the historic character of the building.

The partnership between the National Park Service and the Ford’s Theatre Society helps bring the historical and cultural experience of the life and death of Abraham Lincoln to nearly one million visitors each year. Ford’s Theatre continues to be one of the most visited sites in the nation’s capital. Connie Milstein has served on the Board of Trustee’s since June of this year. She also resides in Washington, D.C.

Women in Real Estate Recognized at NYC Panel

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Connie Milstein was among the women who joined to discuss the current real estate industry and their personal experiences in the business at last week’s panel, “The Women Leading NY’s Real Estate Families.” Covered in The New York Observer’s Real Estate section, she was the center of attention when someone asked her about the challenges that come along with being part of a prominent real estate family.

“Sometimes, you gotta go along to get along,” she said.

It was a diplomatic response for a woman like Connie Milstein, one who’s associated with her fearlessness and go-getter attitude. The other woman who were part of the panel, including Lisa Silverstein, Helena Durst, Faith Hope Consolo and Andrea Olshan, followed suit. The women discussed what it’s like to be a leading lady in real estate today, and on the more light-hearted side—shopping malls and plus-sized fashion. The Observer also noted that the highlight of the night was when each panelist paid tribute to her mother, even bringing Consolo to tears.

The panel was hosted by New York Commercial Real Estate Women’s Network, an organization dedicated to advancing the success of women in commercial real estate.

Building Awareness and Finding Cures with Connie Milstein

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In December, Connie Milstein hosted a beautiful reception to recognize the scientific work of Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE), where she is on the Board of Directors. The event also honored Tammy Haddad as a Friend of the CURE.

The reception helped to raise awareness of the toll that epilepsy takes on those who have it and their families.  In addition, Connie Milstein announced at the reception, held at the Newseum, her generous gift of $500,000 to CURE. This money is being put into the Axelrod Milstein Challenge Grant which will be a two year program and will help to fuel the research needed to find a cure for epilepsy.

As Milstein explained that night in front of the hundreds of guests, “Susan works tirelessly to find a cure for epilepsy and seizure disorders. Like many families across the world, the Axelrods live with this disease every day, but their work, their strength, and their optimism give hope to so many, as they fight and live for a cure.”

The reception was attended by a large range of supporters and admirers from Wolf Blitzer and Howard Fineman to Betsy Fischer, Gloria Borger and Roger Simon.  Terry McAuliffe, Airzona Attorney General Terry Goddard, Bob Stevenson, Jane Oates and Rich Galen were all there as well.

Helping Guiding Eyes for the Blind

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It’s not often that you do something important for the world when you purchase a package of cookies; but once in a while this is actually the case.  Connie’s Bakery and General Store, owned by Connie Milstein, donates 100% of its after-tax profits to six non-profit organizations.  Each year, they change the list of non-profits, allowing many organizations to benefit from their efforts.

This year, Guiding Eyes for the Blind is one of the non-profit organizations benefiting from Foundation Sweet Success.  They are an internationally accredited, nonprofit guide dog school with over 50 years of providing the blind and visually impaired with Guiding Eyes dogs, training and support services.

Founded in 1956, Guiding Eyes for the Blind focuses on helping the blind and visually impaired to enjoy freedom of movement and independence.  They are one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, with more than 7000 guide dog teams in place at this time.

Connie’s Bakery and General Store, with Connie Milstein, is proud to help Guiding Eyes for the Blind to fulfill its mission this year.