Oletha Faust-Goudeau facts for kids

Oletha Faust-Goudeau (born August 5, 1959) is an American politician who has served in the Kansas Senate since 2009. She is a member of the Democratic Party and represents the 29th district in Wichita, Kansas.

When she was elected, Faust-Goudeau became the first African-American woman to ever serve in the Kansas Senate. She is known for her work as a community activist, which means she works to improve the lives of people in her local area. Before joining the Senate, she was a member of the Kansas House of Representatives from 2004 to 2009.

Early Life and Path to Politics

Oletha Faust-Goudeau was born in Wichita, Kansas. Her mother, Oretha Faust, was also a well-known community activist and politician in Wichita. Growing up, Oletha was one of five children.

She later studied pre-law at Wichita State University. After her studies, she became a photographer and continued her family's tradition of being a community activist, helping people in her city.

Career in Government

A politician's job is to represent the people of their area, called a district, in the government. They help create laws and make important decisions for their state. Faust-Goudeau has served in two different parts of the Kansas government, called the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Kansas House of Representatives

In 2003, a seat opened up in the Kansas House of Representatives for the 84th District in Wichita. Faust-Goudeau was chosen to fill the position. The next year, in 2004, she was officially elected by the voters, becoming the first African-American woman to represent that district. She was re-elected in 2006.

Kansas Senate

In 2008, Faust-Goudeau ran for a seat in the Kansas Senate and won. When she took office in 2009, she made history as the first African-American woman to ever serve in the state senate. She has been re-elected several times, including in 2012, 2016, and 2020, often winning by a large number of votes.

Her district in Wichita is very diverse. It includes neighborhoods with some of the city's wealthiest people as well as some of its poorest. She currently serves as the Senate Assistant Minority Leader, a leadership role for her party in the Senate.

Key Issues and Laws

As a senator, Faust-Goudeau has focused on helping families, children, and people in need. She has described herself as a "Republicrat," meaning she tries to represent everyone in her district, no matter which political party they support.

Here are some of the important laws and issues she has worked on:

• Grandparents' Rights: She introduced several successful bills to help grandparents. These laws make sure that when children are placed in foster care, the state must consider letting grandparents take care of them. The laws also ensure grandparents get financial support from the state, just like other foster parents.
• Support for Firefighters' Families: She helped pass a law in 2012 that protects the families of firefighters who die while on duty. The law allows their families to keep their health insurance for 18 months after their death.
• Helping People with Low Incomes: Because she represents an area with many working-class families, Faust-Goudeau often speaks up for their needs. For example, she has argued against rules that would make it harder for people to receive government assistance. She also worked with other lawmakers to try to remove the sales tax on groceries, which can be a heavy cost for families with tight budgets.

See also

• Kansas's 29th Senate district