Shera Grant joins twin Shanta Owens as Alabama district court judge

Jan 18, 2016

Shera Grant and Shanta Owens, identical twin sisters, have led incredibly similar lives over the years.

According to AL.com, both of these women graduated from Alabama State University and went on to graduate law school at Louisiana State University. Both became prosecutors, though Owens worked in Birmingham while Grant went to Atlanta.

Even their families follow the same patterns. The twins married men who had been best friends since kindergarten, and the weddings took place only two months apart. As for children, they both had daughters four months apart (the girls are now 6) and then sons four months apart (the boys are now 3).

So, it seemed almost like fate that, since Owens has been a district court judge since 2008, Grant would soon follow, and Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Grant on Friday to be a district court judge to fill the seat of Jack Lowther.

“Ms. Grant is highly qualified, motivated and prepared to be a district judge,” according to a statement from Jennifer Ardis, communications director for Bentley. “The governor’s office found out about her twin sister during the interview process. Public service seems to be a trait that runs in her family.”

“I’m just overwhelmed, overjoyed. … I think this is a wonderful opportunity to serve the citizens of this county,” Grant told AL.com.

Her sister was thrilled as well, saying, “I’m really elated … I’m excited for her. We’re grateful to God and grateful to the Governor.”