A local pilot will compete later this month in an all-female race to benefit children who need air transportation for medical treatments.

It started with a race from Santa Monica, California to Cleveland. The only contestants were women, a major breakthrough in 1929. It became the Powder Puff Derby, now called the Air Race Classic and one heartland contestant is racing for a good cause.

You might call Nicole Boettger a bit of a daredevil. "I wanted to be an astronaut when I was little and then grown up, my math skills weren't the best so I figured maybe an alternative."

Those alternatives? "Motorcycles are something I just got started this year. I’m getting my Master's right now in homeland security. I’ve been flying the last four years. I had a couple of teachers growing up saying oh no, girls can't fly, girls can't fly. Well, they can."

Nicole co-piloted a flight across Nebraska in 2007. Her team finished in second place. She'll be flying another all-female race in three weeks, the Air Race Classic, a 2,500-mile trek with partner Louise Scudieri.

Nicole’s flying hero? "Amelia Earhart. She didn't take no for an answer for one thing. She broke all the traditions of woman roles back then."

Her daytime job is a little surprising. "I teach pre-school at the YMCA and dance and tumbling there."

Nicole’s love of flying and children meshes in a practical way. “This year I’m racing for a cause. We're donating all the money donated to us for Grace Flight. They do nonprofit flights for medical and humanitarian reasons free of charge to the people we're doing the flights for, usually kids and parents who can't afford medical help."

And like her hero, Nicole believes women can do anything. "My parents taught me growing up that anything is possible."

Boettger hopes more women take to the skies. "There’s isn't a lot of female pilots today." Although she’s seeing some change. "Women are flying in combat now. There’s two girls on the Thunderbird team this year. Anything's possible."

The race takes place June 23rd-26th. Nicole has already raised more than $2,000 to benefit Grace Flight. Donations are being accepted at any Wells Fargo Bank location under the Nicole Boettger-Air Race Classic account.