It takes a long time to earn a fourth-degree black belt. Not that it isn’t worthwhile. But in the meantime, it takes less time to learn to be a crack shot at the range with a .38.
I don’t know about her 38 but she can carry her fourth degree black belt everywhere she goes.
Most self-defense situations require hand-to-hand combat, not guns, so learning TKD or other martial art should be first and foremost. Then learn to use a stick, knife, sword and other weapons.
But learning to use firearms should parallel that training for those other self-defense situations.
My thoughts exactly, learn to use a firearm, and get proficient at it, that’s the way to protect one’s self.