If she does not have handgun experience, I would recommend a revolver rather than a semi-auto. If conceal-carry is not an issue, a 4-in barrel .357 magnum revolver such as a Ruger GP100 or S&W 686 would be an excellent choice.
I was at the indoor range last Saturday shooting my .380 Colt Mustang and my 1911 .45 acp Remington Rand. My friend who was working the range showed my a little Kel-Tec P3AT it is dubbed- The World’s Lightest .380 Auto Pistol. He fired my .380 mustang (no longer made) and commented on how nice the trigger was. He did not have a rental Kel-tec for me to play with....or I would have tried it. He said the Kel-Tec is NOT a range gun. It just wont hold up to constant shooting...but there is no gun lighter and easyier to conceal and carry than this gun. I am thinking of getting one just for that reason.
For those who hate to carry because of the bulk or weight, it looks like a good choice, just dont expect to play with it a lot.
I don't think you can beat the combination of simplicity and stopping power of a Ladysmith chambered in .357.