Pamela Atkinson is used to stepping up. Stepping up to speak for communities in need, stepping up on behalf of the homeless, hurricane evacuees.

On Nov. 2, Atkinson will step forward to accept the 2005 Athena Award, given annually by the Salt Lake Chamber, to recognize her contributions to business and the community. Atkinson is the 20th recipient, joining the likes of June Morris of Morris Air, Deborah Bayle of the American Red Cross and former Utah Gov. Olene Walker.

"Pamela is such an icon in our city," said Nancy Mitchell, executive director of the Women's Business Center at the Salt Lake Chamber. "Recently, someone referred to her as the Mother Teresa of Salt Lake City, and I think it's a wonderful description of her."

Atkinson shies away from praise, expressing only "awe" at being this year's Athena winner.

"It was so totally unexpected," Atkinson said. "I believe I was speechless."

The Athena isn't the first honor given to Atkinson. In addition to receiving numerous community awards, the 2003 Utah Legislature established the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund (formerly the Homeless Trust Fund), which is funded by the Legislature and charitable contributions to help people move from homelessness to self-sufficiency. In 2003, the Fourth Street Clinic was renamed the Pamela Atkinson Fourth Street Clinic.

Her work on behalf of the homeless and other vulnerable groups are the stuff of local legend. The Athena, however, recognizes a lesser-known side to Atkinson's efforts: her work to connect communities in need with businesses.

"There are people who assist the homeless, and who are very committed to them," Mitchell said. "But Pamela's special niche is that she serves as a liaison between business interests and the homeless. She reminds us that business has to have a healthy and thriving community within which to do business, and in order to have a healthy community, we have to be humanitarians and look after one another."

Atkinson makes it sound simple.

"Businesses in our community are not always aware of what they can accomplish," she said. "I've discovered that if you help businesses understand, first, what the needs are in the community, and second, what possible solutions are, it's amazing how galvanized businesses become in their efforts to help."

But it isn't just asking businesses to donate money, said Zions Bank spokesman Robert Brough. Atkinson serves on the bank's community advisory board, a group of local leaders representing various nonprofit organizations and causes providing social and humanitarian services.