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For $100 or less, you're not going to get much. You can get pawn shop specials for that price, but they're usually crap. If you can up your budget to $150 (or better yet, $200), you'll have a lot more options.
One thing you'll want to do is take your wife around to the guitar store. This is particularly important for southpaws, because not everyone who's left handed actually plays left handed. It'll be up to her to figure out what feels more natural. Aside from that, getting some good advice from professionals is probably the best option. Also, having the chance to actually try (or at least hear) the different guitars in action is very helpful in deciding.
Left hand instruments are fairly specialized. That's not to say that they can't be had, but they're not common and will probably be a special order. A right hander can be strung upside down though with minimal fuss (the nut may need to be filed and/or replaced, which isn't a big deal for any half decent luthier), and aside from the pickguard being at the top instead of the bottom it'll play exactly the same.
Another thing to consider is the possibility of getting a classical. They're not any more expensive (I have a mid-range classical that I managed to nab for a bit under $300), and the wider neck forces better fretting techniques, which is one of the major fall-down points for self-taught players. They don't have pickguards, so strictly speaking any classical is roughly $3.00 away from being a lefty (plus labour).
As for brands, Jay Turser makes some good beginner instruments, as does Silvertone. Cort has some decent guitars in the sub-$200 range, although again $100 and under might be stretching it a bit. I know a lot of guys who absolutely love Yamaha guitars; I've never met one I've liked, but then each guitarist is different, so my preferences should not be taken as gospel. Don't bother going with the big name instruments like Fender, Gibson, Martin, etc. They're good for pros (who generally already have their preferences anyway), but for the beginner it's a bit much.
Look for a solid top if you can afford it. You can occasionally find them for under $200, although not for $100. They resonate much better than laminates and make for superior instruments overall.
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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said
- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame
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