My wife is 5'2" and 110lbs. She carries a Taurus PT140 Millenium Pro (40 S&W). She has no problem with it and loves to shoot the darned thing. About 500 rounds every month.
My daughter is 5'5" and 100lbs. She carries a Beretta Px4 Storm Compact (40 S&W) and absolutly LOVES it. She shoots with my wife and I and does the same 500 rounds or so every month.
Out to 15 yards they both print in the black on a 8" target.
I really think it is attitude more than kick. If you have the proper grip you can shoot nearly anything without much problem. I will say they usually refrain from shooting my S&W model 29 (44 Mag 6" barrel) more than 20 or 30 rounds in one session. That one can make your hand feel the recoil now and then.
Thanks for that info!