Judge Shanta Owens and Judge Shera Grant are not just sisters, but identical twins and the first set of twins to serve simultaneously as district court judges in Jefferson County, Colorado, US. While their journey to the bench was not an easy one, their upbringing with a single mother has instilled in them a deep work ethic and scholastic discipline that has carried them through to their present success.
Both women graduated from Alabama State University and Louisiana State University School of Law. The sisters believe that they are walking in their purpose, and while it is an honour to sit on the bench at the same time, they’re not so much interested in making history as they are in doing what they were created to do. Both sisters have aligned their lives with their faith and feel that they are living the lives that God intended for them.
Despite the growing number of black female judges in Jefferson County, Owens and Grant continue to face discrimination, even within their own courtrooms. Owens expresses that there are several hurdles to overcome, including bias against women and people of colour, as well as their youth and perceived inexperience.
Grant told Birmingham Times “There are so many challenges being a woman of colour and not being what people consider a judge,” While adding “Some days when I walk out on the bench, I think that [people] think I’m the assistant and not the judge. Thank God for the robes. There are still people who think we belong in the home and not on the bench, and you can feel that. I try not to think of the challenges we face because they’re always going to be there.”
“Sometimes it’s hard for people to see women, in general, in the position to make real important life decisions for life-altering things,” Owens said. “Stacked on top of that, I’m African-American. Stacked on top of that, I’m young. There are several hurdles to overcome.” However, the presence of these two black female judges represents a positive shift in the demographics of judges in Jefferson County.
Judge Shanta Owens and Judge Shera Grant’s achievements as identical twin judges is a step in the right direction towards increased representation and diversity in the judiciary.
