I wish I could get my wife of 57 years to even consider carrying. She travels alone often, such as right now while she is on a 1,000 mile drive to visit her sisters, and will not even think about keeping a gun in the car with her, let alone carry one on her person.
Years ago I bought what was called a "cross carry bag" from a company named Coronado Leather. It is made with a specific zippered compartment to carry a handgun. It is what might be called a man's purse by some, or a "murse" but I used it for several years before I could legally carry a concealed firearm. I felt it was as accessible and secure as a holster on my belt since the strap went over my head and shoulder and could not easily to slipped off or pulled off. It has the added benefit of when I am wearing shorts in hot weather of allowing me to put my sunglass case, cell phone, keys, etc. in at separately from my gun rather than stuffing my pockets. FWIW, even before legal concealed carry, I wore that "murse" past many LEO's in sensitive places and not once was I stopped and questioned as to "what's in the bag?". For a woman who wants to carry and who cannot pocket carry or have a holster on a belt, this "Cross Carry Bag" is ideal.
P.S.: I just checked and that bag is still made, although it is listed as Out of Stock right now. When I bought mine years ago it was about $120, now I see it listed as $189 and is called a Cross Carry Case. Mine is around 20 years old, made of thick leather, and looks and feels as good as the day I got it despite quite a lot of use years ago. This company makes real quality leather items.