Salt Lake City Homeless Advocate Pamela Atkinson Dies at 93
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Salt Lake City is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah. Pamela Atkinson, a longtime champion for Utah's homeless and disadvantaged communities, died Saturday at the age of 93, Gephardt Daily reported on Oct. 11. Her passing, after a career of public service spanning 60 years, prompted an outpouring of tributes from Utah's political leaders.
Atkinson was once referred to by a sitting governor as "Utah's Mother Teresa." Gov. Spencer Cox paid tribute on social media, saying Atkinson lifted Utah through a lifetime of compassion and service, devoting her life to serving others — especially those too often forgotten — and showing what it means to care for one's neighbors.
Former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert also remembered an old friend, saying Atkinson served as his special assistant and was a tireless champion for people experiencing poverty and homelessness, as well as a bridge-builder among people of all faiths, the Legislature and communities across the state. Herbert said Atkinson did not just talk about compassion but lived it every day, and that her kindness, faith and selfless service touched countless lives and made Utah a better place.
According to the report, Atkinson once said she was a little embarrassed by the Mother Teresa comparison and preferred to think of herself as someone who was able to get things done.
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Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 维基共享资源，公共领域（Sean Breazeal 摄，盐湖城市县大楼）
