Can ideas be "ostracized," or only people?

Helping my DIL with a research paper she’s writing for an English class. It’s about three of the most influential developers of early childhood educations. She notes, “Dr. Maria Montessori’s ideas were ostracized early on, but they regained popularity after her death.”

Can ideas be ostracized? I don’t think they can, but I don’t know why! I am certain y’all will tell me though.