Well, she wants to start Wing Chun. Her boyfriend has left the state for college and she is in the dumps, so imagine my surprise when she let me know she wanted to begin a martial arts journey. She is tiny, we call her "mini girl", and Wing Chun will be good for her. Although she is not a bad runner, she is not necessarily athletic, and Wing Chun, at its basic practical application does not call on the student to be a world class martial artist.
As we go along I'll let you know how she picks it up.
If her main goal was self defense i think one could do alot worse than Wing Chun. Developing a fury of powerful straight punchs would serve a small women well. Good luck on her journey and hope she hits hard and strong!!