What about a shotgun for the small female who BTW is left handed: Remington for the Youth
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/youth/
I'm LH male.
Remingtons and just about any other make have safeties that are backwards, clumsy for LH folks.
Mossberg is wise in having their safety on the tang(upper part of the receiver). That puts the safety under your thumb no matter right or left handed.
Mossbergs are reliable and cheaper than Remingtons.
Unless you plan on spending a lot of time shooting and having the pistol controls become second nature, get a revolver.
They are very reliable and foolproof.
Check out a Ruger SP101 in .357. I'll bet the grips fit and they are as rugged as they come.