When I read various Medusa accounts, she is always portrayed as the monster, rather than the human that existed before becoming a gorgon. Medusa wasn't cursed by Athena, but blessed with great power and the ability for her to serve at high priestess to Athena. Only Medusa was given this gift and only she served Athena as an eternal high-priestess of Athena. It is Medusa's head on Athena's shield and no other priestess ever had that honor.