Ruby & Monica Wharton are committed to family.

Both Ruby Wharton and her daughter-in-law, Monica, are high-powered, busy attorneys. But not on Thursday and Sunday nights, when all the Whartons (Ruby is Shelby County Mayor, AC’s, wife; Monica is married to Ruby and AC’s son, Andre) gather for dinner and conversation.

“We all look forward to it,” says Ruby, especially now that the “first and only” grandchild, 16-month-old Andrew, is at the table. Monica admires her mother-in-law, both as a role model and mom: “She never gives up, and if she says she’ll do something, it’s going to get done.” The feeling is mutual, though Ruby says, “(Monica’s) a much better mom than me.”

When Ruby was a young attorney, disrespectful judges called her “sir;” she managed to remain committed to both the law and her family. Ruby’s commitment and integrity inspires her, says Monica: “I strive to be like (her) every day.”