Oletha Faust-Goudeau was born August 5, 1959 in Wichita, Kansas. After studying pre-law at the University of Wichita, she became a photographer and community activist.

Faust-Goudeau has served as Vice President for the Women of Color Association (Wichita Chapter), Democratic Co-Chair for the Kansas South Central Legislative Delegation, and as precinct committee woman. She has also been a board member of KPTS, the Wichita public television station; Legal Services of Wichita; City of Wichita's Human Services; Wichita Habitat for Humanity; Neighbor Works; and the Fairmount Neighborhood Association. She has also been a member of the the League of Women's Voters and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

In 2004, Faust-Goudeau was appointed to the Kansas House of Representatives and served in the House until 2009. In 2008 she was elected to the Kansas State Senate, representing District 29. She has been on a variety of committees in the Senate, including the Arts and Cultural Resources, Ethics and Elections, Local Government, Federal and State Affairs, Children's Issues, and Commerce committees. In 2015 she was the ranking minority member for the Local Government, Ethics and Elections, and Federal and State Affairs committees.