I normally recommend a K-frame S&W for non-shooters, but is she may carry concealed, a M&P9C might work. Just let her try to work the slide first.
I'm a fan of having a point-and-shoot trigger on self defense guns. Non-shooters tend to forget about safeties and that's the reason I like revolvers or semi-autos with trigger safeties. Short barrels just aren't easy to shoot.
