<P> Iowa--All men and women are, by nature, free and equal and have certain inalienable rights--among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness . Iowa Constitution, Article I, § 1 (1998) </P> <P> Maryland--Equality of rights under the law shall not be abridged or denied because of sex . Maryland Constitution, Declaration of Rights, Article 46 (1972) </P> <P> Massachusetts - All people are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness . Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed or national origin . Massachusetts Constitution, Part 1, Article 1 as amended by Article CVI by vote of the People, (1976) </P> <P> Montana--Individual dignity . The dignity of the human being is inviolable . No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws . Neither the state nor any person, firm, corporation, or institution shall discriminate against any person in the exercise of his civil or political rights on account of race, color, sex, culture, social origin or condition, or political or religious ideas . Montana Constitution, Article II, § 4 (1973) </P>

What actually happened with regard to the equal rights amendment