§ 17. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other provision of this chapter limiting to members of the male sex the right to vote in elections and meetings of any nation, tribe or band of Indians, no member of the feminine sex being a member of such nation, tribe or band shall be disqualified by sex from voting in elections and meetings of such nation, band or tribe after the qualified voters of such Indian group shall have recognized the right of women to vote in elections or meetings of such group.