Soap Opera Magazine, 1992
On AMC, Julia Barr plays crusading magazine publisher BROOKE ENGLISH, who's always fighting for the underdog; and in real life, Julia's an outspoken champion for victims of family violence.
In an exclusive interview with SOAP OPERA MAGAZINE, the beautiful blonde actress talked about her work for this worthy cause. "I feel domestic violence is such a vicious circle, and it just continues and continues unless you can break the circle and get people out of it, or help them with their family situation" she says.
This year, Julia became involved with a mail order catalog firm, called "A Company of Women", which turns over part of its profits to the Rockland County Center for abuse victims in upstate New York. "When they approached me, I was impressed with the project, and I wanted to do something with them," she said. "I'm now the company's official spokesperson. I believe more than 80 percent of its shares are owned by the shelter."
Through its catalog, the company sells emergency car kits for women, note paper and many other items aimed specifically at the women's market. The catalog also provides useful information for example, it has a questionnaire that helps women determine if they are being abused.
"There are also interesting blurbs about women's attitudes, legal trends affecting women and other issues," Julia explained. "It's not all oriented toward women's lib, but it tries to offer items created by women. I hate to shop, because I don't have time, so I'm a catalog freak. I buy cards from UNICEF, and I buy other things from Seventh Generation, which contributes to the environment. So it's a way for me to contribute, too- because of Brooke's moral stance on the show, and her character's problems with the men in her life."
Viewers often send Julia letters asking her advice about their own concerns. "1 think my character, probably more than any other on the show, has that kind of appeal. But I hesitate to get involved sometimes because I sense that it may be a problem that needs to be addressed by experts."
Julia feels her role as righteous Brooke has a positive effect on viewers. She adds: "Television is a powerful tool, because you can reach such a large number of people. So if you happen to play a character who espouses certain ethics and morals, it's bound to have some effect."