PedroSteckecilo said:
Despite my usual harping of Macross... Robotech got a whole generation into Anime and was technically cut together as a kids show... it was one of my first Anime's and I first watched it when I was 11.
Macross >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Robotech.
Yeah Robotech got me into it as a kid too, but Macross is far superior.
However since OP said something not so dated... Macross Frontier should actually work very well. There's plenty of important female roles, a big focus on song and singer idols, as well as the mech combat and stuff. It's a mech series that caters to both guys and girls.
Vandread might also fit her because it's so goofy, when we're talking mecha, or even Heroic Age.
Not to mention Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu. The main series might be a bit too serious for her, but the comedy spinoff? Genius!
Oh and Rideback is awesome, and comes highly recommended. Even has a female lead, and it's not so combat focused.
More non-mecha suggestions:
Spice and Wolf is a drama with romance that is pretty universally acclaimed. (It's even got an 8/10 on IMDB).
As I mentioned earlier... Hayate the combat butler (Hayate no Gotoku) should fit her excellently. (And I did mention FLCL and Excel Saga *hint hint*)
Fushigi Yuugi is a historical/drama/adventure/comedy/romance/shoujo(genre for girls), a bit dated but very good.
Oh and Inuyasha, historical/fantasy/adventure/comedy/romance with exaggerated weapons, it's been described as "Dragonball Z for girls".
Jubei-chan is a quirky supernatural/samurai/comedy/shoujo series. With a girl who gains Yagyu Jubei's (exaggerated) samurai skill when she puts on a heart-shaped eyepatch.
Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei is a really whacky school comedy/parody/drama.
Oh and slightly non-serious suggestion: Afro-ken!