The National P.E.O. Sisterhood began in 1869 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa at Wesleyan College. Seven women formed the organization as a sorority because an existing campus sorority excluded some of the women. Originally on a college campus, the organization branched out as its members grew older and became a national organization for women. The P.E.O. now runs Cottey College, in Nevada, Missouri. It also funds various scholarships for women. The P.E.O. educational fund provides low interest loans and scholarships for female international, continuing, and advanced degree students. Membership is by invitation only and the headquarters for the P.E.O. is in Des Moines, Iowa.

The P.E.O. started in Mankato with the formation of the U Chapter in 1922. By 1933 there were 51 members in Chapter U and some members of the chapter felt there were enough P.E.O. members in Mankato to form a new chapter. Grace Northrop, BE's first president, wrote to the state chapter suggesting that a new chapter in Mankato be formed. The state organizer supported the idea because she felt that individuals could be more involved in smaller chapters. While not every member of U was interested in forming or joining a new chapter enough support was gathered and Chapter BE was approved.

On March 31, 1933, eighteen women became charter members of Chapter BE. By 1938 there were 28 members of Chapter BE and it was busy doing charitable things for the community. They sent a girl to camp every year, furnished food and clothing for needy families and sponsored a Christmas for a family every year.

Chapter BE also supported education, sponsoring its first "loan girl" in 1939. A low interest loan was given to the "loan girl" who was later referred to as the Education Fund Student. In 1940 the BE Chapter had grown to 32 members and by 1941 the Chapter was able to support two "loan girls."

During the Second World War, Chapter BE supported the war effort by raising money. It did so by putting on a "Victory Stampede" for which $1000 in war stamps were sold. Money was also raised for the Red Cross by selling donated articles of clothing. The P.E.O. was praised on a national level for its support of the war effort.

In the 1950s the number of P.E.O. members in the Mankato area increased and new chapters were formed. In 1950, Chapter BE, which had 37 members, sponsored the formation of Chapter CN of St. Peter. In 1954, Mankato received it third chapter, DA.

In 1952 Chapter BE expanded its sponsorship of young women's education by helping international students. In 1952 two cousins from Guam were able to attend Mankato State College with financial assistance from Chapter BE.

By 1960 the BE Chapter had 50 members. One of the most active members was Marion Mason. She was the only female lawyer in town and at the time had her own radio show. In 1964 Mason was BE Chapter president and she pushed for a reform of the national P.E.O. Education Fund. Through her investigation Mason discovered that money was being wasted on the administrative aspects of the Fund. With the support of Chapters BE and U, Mason brought her grievances to the state chapter. With her reform actions and other activities, Mason took her presidency beyond that of average Chapter presidents.

In the 1970's the organization had 42 members and the Chapter continued its support of education and philanthropy. Some members became volunteers for Meals on Wheels in its formative years and continued to support the program into the 1980s. Inflation caused problems with the Chapter's budget but it continued to support local causes as well as national ones like Cottey College.

The 1980s brought the reality of working women to Chapter BE. Although the Chapter had almost 70 members in 1989, many of them did not make it to meetings and some had to declare themselves inactive because they were too busy to participate. In the early 1980s, the state organization asked the Chapter to be a Golden Anniversary Fund Chapter. (The Golden Anniversary Fund was a super fund to provide money for Cottey College.) Considering how busy it members were, the Chapter had to decline becoming a GAFC. This changed in 1985 when Chapter BE started the Christmas House. A Chapter member allowed local merchants to decorate the first floor of her home and then charged admission for the public to view it. It was an instant success and generated more income each year, as it became better known. This activity allowed the BE Chapter to become a GAFC for Cottey College.

In the 1990's, the chapter has continued to use the Christmas house to fund local programs like Hospice and the Lutheran Home Building Fund. Despite the hectic lifestyle of the 1990s, the chapter has continued to support its members and the Mankato community.