As the nineteenth century neared its end, women began to look for new opportunities outside the kitchen. (503). This was a controversial idea at the time, stimulating many ideas about what women should be: a housewife or a professional. The idea that women could balance the two was a very difficult concept to understand. As a result, some organizations and businesses have sought to exclude women from the workplace or give them an inferior role in the professional world (508). In response to such actions, women formed professional organizations such as “Sorosis” in order to exchange advice and ideas (504). Women during this period also made great strides in education. Women's colleges such as Vassar (505) were erected. If such actions had not been taken to help solidify women's roles in the workforce, it is plausible that women would still be living as second class.