("Holt International Children's Services")
"My parents' legacy is that they started
international adoption." ~Helen Holt Stampe
Interview with helen holt stampe
Helen Holt Stampe is one of the Holts' eight adopted children.
What was your childhood like growing up?
I had a wonderful childhood growing up with eight siblings close to my age (all adopted) and six biological siblings that my parents, Harry and Bertha Holt, had. They were 50 and 51 years old when they adopted us from the ages of 9 months to 2½ years. Because of the kids’ age difference, we referred to our large family as “first family” for the biological ones and “second family” for the adopted ones. But in the eyes of the public, we were all one large family. I never regretted coming from a large family because I always had someone to play with. Of the 14 children, nine were girls and five were boys. My parents are deceased (both buried at Holt Ilsan Town in Korea) and to date there are only nine siblings living: eight girls and one boy.
After high school, what did you do?
I am an office manager and executive assistant to the Chancellor of the Oregon University System. After high school I went to Merritt Davis Business College and graduated with an associate degree. My first job was working for a dean at the University of Oregon in 1974, and then in 1976 I went to work for the Oregon University System (it is the system office that all the state universities report to). Both jobs were state employed, located in Eugene, Oregon. As of September 17, 2014, I’ve worked for the state for 40 years; I’m planning to retire on July 1, 2015.
What careers did your siblings pursue?
Some of my siblings went to college, others went on to work directly out of high school. Careers have been in nursing, restaurant chef, senior health care manager, real estate, hotel management, and food catering service.
Were your parents leaders in international adoption?
My parents built the Holt agency upon their belief that children need the love and belonging of a family. And their faith in the Lord was their hallmark. My father died in 1964, so my mother had to continue running the agency. The Holt adoption agency have made it their mission to help children to have permanent families within the United State and international countries. My mother always said that she wanted to be remembered “as that lady who loved the Lord.” It was their love that changed the lives of children around the world, and today thousands of adoptees enjoy the legacy of love that Bertha and Harry Holt pioneered through international adoption.
What is your parents' legacy?
My parents' legacy is that they started international adoption. When we were adopted back in 1955, there had to be a bill passed by Congress in order for my father to bring us over. Before then international adoption was not common and especially bringing over eight orphans in one trip. With this action, my parents inspired thoughts of other people to adoption internationally. In addition, there is an elementary school located in Eugene, Oregon, that is named after my mother, Bertha Holt Elementary School. The school wrote, “We are inspired by the vision of our namesake, Bertha Holt … our program is designed to embody her legacy of care for children from all backgrounds and abilities. We are privileged to serve a very diverse community of students. Our overarching goal is to create and maintain a fun, safe, and stimulating school where all children achieve.” My mother would have been proud of the school. The school celebrates my mother’s birthday, February 5th, every year with an assembling of song and dance.
I had a wonderful childhood growing up with eight siblings close to my age (all adopted) and six biological siblings that my parents, Harry and Bertha Holt, had. They were 50 and 51 years old when they adopted us from the ages of 9 months to 2½ years. Because of the kids’ age difference, we referred to our large family as “first family” for the biological ones and “second family” for the adopted ones. But in the eyes of the public, we were all one large family. I never regretted coming from a large family because I always had someone to play with. Of the 14 children, nine were girls and five were boys. My parents are deceased (both buried at Holt Ilsan Town in Korea) and to date there are only nine siblings living: eight girls and one boy.
After high school, what did you do?
I am an office manager and executive assistant to the Chancellor of the Oregon University System. After high school I went to Merritt Davis Business College and graduated with an associate degree. My first job was working for a dean at the University of Oregon in 1974, and then in 1976 I went to work for the Oregon University System (it is the system office that all the state universities report to). Both jobs were state employed, located in Eugene, Oregon. As of September 17, 2014, I’ve worked for the state for 40 years; I’m planning to retire on July 1, 2015.
What careers did your siblings pursue?
Some of my siblings went to college, others went on to work directly out of high school. Careers have been in nursing, restaurant chef, senior health care manager, real estate, hotel management, and food catering service.
Were your parents leaders in international adoption?
My parents built the Holt agency upon their belief that children need the love and belonging of a family. And their faith in the Lord was their hallmark. My father died in 1964, so my mother had to continue running the agency. The Holt adoption agency have made it their mission to help children to have permanent families within the United State and international countries. My mother always said that she wanted to be remembered “as that lady who loved the Lord.” It was their love that changed the lives of children around the world, and today thousands of adoptees enjoy the legacy of love that Bertha and Harry Holt pioneered through international adoption.
What is your parents' legacy?
My parents' legacy is that they started international adoption. When we were adopted back in 1955, there had to be a bill passed by Congress in order for my father to bring us over. Before then international adoption was not common and especially bringing over eight orphans in one trip. With this action, my parents inspired thoughts of other people to adoption internationally. In addition, there is an elementary school located in Eugene, Oregon, that is named after my mother, Bertha Holt Elementary School. The school wrote, “We are inspired by the vision of our namesake, Bertha Holt … our program is designed to embody her legacy of care for children from all backgrounds and abilities. We are privileged to serve a very diverse community of students. Our overarching goal is to create and maintain a fun, safe, and stimulating school where all children achieve.” My mother would have been proud of the school. The school celebrates my mother’s birthday, February 5th, every year with an assembling of song and dance.