Atkinson receives award for her lifetime of service

Heralded as a hero, an inspiration and exemplar, Pamela Atkinson received the 2005 Athena Award Wednesday, presented by the Women's Business Center at the Salt Lake Chamber.

"There are certain names that are synonymous with service," Chamber President Lane Beattie said at the awards ceremony, held at the Grand America Hotel. "I dare anyone to name anyone who signifies that more than Pamela Atkinson."

The Athena is given annually to "the most outstanding woman in the community who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in business, who provides valuable service to her community, and helps other women in reaching their leadership potential." Past recipients include former Utah Gov. Olene Walker, Patricia A. Richards of Wells Fargo Bank and Deborah Bayle Nielsen of the United Way of Salt Lake.

Atkinson's work as a community advocate more than qualified her for the award, according to Utah Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr., who drew a direct comparison between Atkinson and the award's namesake.

"There are similarities (between the Greek goddess and Atkinson) that are absolutely extraordinary, even eerie," Huntsman said. "Athena was known for a few things. She was known for wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice and skill. If I had to take a whole bunch of descriptors . . . to describe Pamela, it would be those I just described."

Atkinson was the first person Huntsman called after being elected one year ago Wednesday, he said. She was the first person he called after opening the state to hurricane evacuees. And there's a reason that was so, Huntsman said.

"Pamela is able to recognize the human heart wherever it beats," he said. "She does not discriminate based on type or background. She gets right to the core of any human being, and that is to the heart."

Accepting the award, Atkinson first paid tribute to the other award winners recognized at the event and thanked businesses for their service in the community. She ended with a challenge.

"I strongly believe that everyone sitting here today has the ability to help others survive, cope and, in some instances, actually triumph," Atkinson said. "There are so many kinds of hunger in our state. We all know about the hunger for food. But there's hunger for a bed. There's hunger for a warm blanket. There's hunger for a hot meal. There's hunger for a home. There's hunger for recognition. There's hunger for love. And there's hunger for a hug, a touch or a smile. Many of you here have been instrumental in meeting these hunger needs."

But, Atkinson said, "We need to do more. I think we can all be more ambitious. I'd like to issue a challenge, to reach out with excellence to those who have so many needs, and make even more of a difference than what you've already done. Much has been accomplished. But so much more remains."

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