Radcliffe College was a women's college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1879. It was established to provide women with access to higher education at a time when they were largely excluded from universities. Radcliffe became affiliated with Harvard University in 1879, allowing its students to take classes at Harvard and earn degrees. In 1999, Radcliffe College merged with Harvard, forming the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. This institute focuses on interdisciplinary research and scholarship, continuing Radcliffe's legacy of supporting women's education and promoting gender equality in academia. Today, it serves as a center for innovative research and public engagement.